V O L U M E 2 8 I S S U E 2 M A R C H 2 0 1 6

GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The Lifeline

Sisters and Brothers in the faith,

What do you think of when you think of a surprise? I have never seen sta s cs on how many people like them versus how many do not, within any family we have people on both sides of the subject. For myself, I would admit to coming down on both sides. Overall though, I love when someone can actually pull it off on me because that really takes hard work!!

As Chris ans that element of not knowing what is around the corner yet trus ng and believing in God is kind of like surprise but we call it faith: faith that through it all, God will provide and be with us every step of the way. Not only that, but God promises that there is a wonderful promise of future that we can in no way prepare for except to trust and believe!

As we con nue this Lenten journey and move into the celebra on of Easter, it is important to place ourselves in the midst of everything. Where are we, where are we going, what does God have to do with us? For each of us, it is a personal internal journey that involves our rela onships in life as well. How we experience the living presence of Jesus makes a difference in the success of our personal rela onships and those we form as we serve the risen Christ.

As Jesus prepared to leave the disciples following His resurrec on, He said go and… What, count on forgiveness in the end so that you can do whatever you want whenever you want? Go to church, bake a cake, and then live exactly as you please? Or send your money, but forget the personal involvement because the church will al-ways be there anyway? Jesus, told the disciples to go into the world make disciples, bap ze them in the name of the trinity, and then teach them everything He had taught and obey. This is the culmina on of the Lenten journey. Christ comes alive here when the Great Commission takes shape in our lives. (Read Ma . 28:16-20)

An Easter Chris an wants everyone to know what he or she know, especially the grace, forgiveness, and mercy. Loving all children of God means there are no boundaries and sharing Christ changes lives. Who have you loved in the name of Jesus? Who have you fed in the name of Jesus? Who have you clothed in the name of Jesus? Who knows you love Jesus? Even on the golf course God is there!! Even in a tractor God is there! God is with us, hears us, watches us, and leads us. In the name of Jesus we live and love and encounter others.

Lent draws us into a deeper reflec on of our whole Chris an condi on and Easter gives us the opportunity to spring us again into a new life straight from the shell of new birth! Consider this your invita on to join us on the rest of the journey! Come see what’s wai ng for you!!!

Happy Easter! Happy new life!!

T H E L I F E L I N E

Psalm 36:7 How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings.

March 2nd 6:00 PM Soup Supper at Zion

Service at 7:00 PM March 4th

World Day of Prayer—Gowrie UMC March 9th

BINGO at Care Center 3:00 p.m. 1 worker from Joy circle, will provide 6 small

sodas or 6 wrapped snacks. 6:00 PM Lenten Soup Supper at GUMC

Joy Circle Serving Service at 7:00 PM

March 15th (Snow Date 22nd) North Central District Mission Study

Registration 8:30-9:00 AM Ames First UMC

Each car load will furnish a salad. March 16th

6:00 p.m. soup supper at Zion Service at 7:00 PM

March 23rd Lenten Breakfast at GUMC– 9:30 AM

Dinning Room– Joy Circle Serving—Faith Circle

Committee– Barb Tucker and Diane Boerner

PAGE 2

World Day of Prayer 2016 will be Friday, March 4!

The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Chris-tian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many coun-tries, have a continuing relation-ship in prayer and service. • It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions. • It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration – the first Friday of March – to which all people are welcome. • It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellow-ship, understanding and action throughout the year. Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. The mo o of the World Day of Prayer is “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action”. The Gowrie World Day of Prayer Celebra on will be Friday, March 4th at 9:30 a.m. at Gowrie United Methodist Church. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO AT-TEND.

UMW Installa on of Officers (January 21st 2016) Le to right.... Linda Brandes, Colleen Traster, Shirley Wooters, Ginger Marquis, Nancy McCard, Diane Boerner, Joan Orness, Judi Tjepkes, Barb Tucker & Gail McLoud.

You’re Invited

Gowrie UMW Lenten Breakfast Gowrie United Methodist Church

1306 Market Street Gowrie, Iowa

Wednesday, March 23rd, 9:30 a.m.

Please make reservations by calling 352-3715 or email gowrieumc@wccta.net by March 15th

PAGE 3

T H E L I F E L I N E

LIFELINE NEWSLETTER

The purpose of "The Life Line" is to provide a vehicle of

communication for all who consider Gowrie UMC their

home church. "The Life Line" will include not only

announcements and community events, but feature articles

celebrating the ministries and recent and upcoming events at

Gowrie UMC. Please send announcements/opportunities, articles (150-200 words) and photos to Katie Dorsey in the church office at

PO Box 479, Gowrie IA 50543 gowrieumc@wccta.net or by calling 515-352-3715

Deadline is monthly on the 15th.

*Did you know that the children’s Sunday school has moved from the basement to the upstairs? They now house the former youth area. The youth will con nue to meet in the pastor’s office and as we are able, the basement. Should be fun! In addi on, the Mom’s group is making good use of the basement. Isn’t this won-derful??

*Our Stephens Ministers and oth-er others interested are in the process of taking communion to our shut ins. We have had a won-derful experience so far and some excellent visi ng. God is so good!!!!

*Did you no ce what our nur-ture/educa on/missions group has been up to? Well come see, they have opened the narthex up to us for coffee and even goodies on Sundays before church. Those who have found it are loving it!!

*Speaking of new, the UMW book club has purchased a new book-shelf unit for the narthex. Wow, now we know they are serious about reading with all the room they have! In case you want to join them, talk to Judy Tjepkes, Nancy McCard, Joan Orness, Don-na Springer, and Darlene Eklund. There is always room for more. Besides they bring goodies!

*Do you have a musical talent? We are looking for people to share theirs in church during wor-ship. Let Pastor Anne e know or the office. We love all styles and offerings from the heart!

Gowrie UMC Mini-report: *The Gimpers (our men’s study group) is taking on the men’s re-stroom (the man cave according to Pastor Dave) as a project. They will be making some changes that the church has asked for awhile. One project at a me! In addi on, they get together to talk about God, their life, and whatever else men talk about! Always room for more!

*Ad council con nues to try to find a me for mee ngs when all can come. In addi on we are moving forward with our work on finances, Rev. Hahn gi , and oth-er ministry areas. Need to get some work done around the church but will probably need to raise some funds. See Gary Vos-berg if you have ques ons.

*New ideas and plans coming soon. Watch your bulle ns and newsle ers!!!!

One Great Hour of Sharing

March 6th !! United Methodist Church. One Great Hour of Sharing enables the United Methodist Commi ee on Relief (UMCOR) to live out its mis-sion to alleviate human suffering. UMCOR responds to natural or human made disasters - those interrup ons of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own.

Come to church early on Sunday and enjoy coffee and treats in the entry way. Interested in supplying treats contact the office.

The Glory Bells are looking for monetary donations to get several old

bells fixed. If you can help please indicate that your donation is for the Bell Choir Fund. Thank You!

T H E L I F E L I N E

Be a warrior!

Prayer

If you have a prayer request, please call or email the church office. If you are reques ng for someone other then yourself, we will need to have their permission before calling on the congrega on and prayer chain. We would also like to publish answered prayers. Please let us know when a crisis has been resolved, a sickness has been healed or a blessing has been received. Thank you!

In addi on please li up these requests, and con nued prayers for: The spiritual health of our church, those with illness, those awai ng test results, those mourning, those need-ing friendship, those longing for a closer rela onship with God. As always con nue to pray for your Pastor, your local church and its transforma on of our community. For March; UMCOR—One Great Hour of Sharing—Disaster relief Bereaved: The family of Donna Madson Health Concerns: Beth Shultz Chronic Condi ons: Mitch Shultz, Rich Peterson, Ben Terrill, Ben Terrill (Berna Tucker’s Father), Gerry Prine (Judy Warrick’s SIL) Nursing Home & Homebound: Nellie Summers, Vera Bauer, Star Havard, Fawn Borer, Juanita Lorentzen, Vel-ma Shepherd, Donna Light, Carol Wiley, Wanda Smith, Pearl VenHuizen, Lavola Lizer, Jean Cafferty, Jessie Mohr, Ralph and Patsy Dunbar, Paul and Evelyn Farnham, Kay Learned, June and Dalbert Isom, Darrell and Donna Ziemer, Zo Ewing, Opal Elmore, Wilma Proctor Joys: The bap sm of Nora Dorsey (2-28) and the ever-las ng goodness of God’s unending grace! Prayer for March– One Great Hour of Sharing God, we know things are not right in the world. Children sleep with hunger pangs, families struggle to stay togeth-er in mes of war and strife, droughts leave once lush fields cracked and dry. We know these things to be true, but they seem so far and remote. They seem beyond our reach. They seem too big for us to solve. So we do not seek jus ce for the widow or the orphan. We do not re-spond mercifully. As we gather to worship you, we realize that we cannot walk humbly without you. We cannot act justly or seek mercy without your grace. Help us, Lord, to move with mercy and speak with a voice that seeks jus-

ce. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

PAGE 3

March Ushers: David H.Anderson, Lyle Barkley, Ron Warrick, Judy Warrick 3/6/2016 Clicker Rachel Farnham Greeters Jennifer Field March Communion Diana Clancy, Nancy McCard Sound Dave Johnson Worship Leader Jeff Pa erson Lent Wednesday 3/9/2016 Greeters Jane Frahm Sound and Clicker Ka e Dorsey Worship Leader Marj Johnson 3/13/2016 Greeters Joan Orness Sound and Clicker Dillon and Sammy Sytsma Worship Leader Dave Johnson 3/20/2016 Clicker Judy Warrick Greeters Marj Johnson Sound Gary Vosberg Worship Leader Nancy McCard Holy Thursday 3/24/2016 Clicker Beth Shultz Greeters Ginger Marquis Sound Jeremy Viles Worship Leader Diana Clancy

SERVING YOU IN MARCH PAGE 5

18- Lillie Eller 19- Crystal Wilks

Kellen Pennebaker 20- Gail McLoud 23- Bill Schneider 26-Carol Wiley* 28-Ka e Dorsey 30-Dale Brandt Colleen Traster 31-Jeff Frahm

* INDICATES MEMBERS OVER 80.

3- Lily Brandes 4- Kaleb Johnson

11- George Anderson* Charlie Dorsey

14- Randy Halligan 15- Bill Barkley

Tyler Frahm

Good Friday 3/25/2016 Clicker Marla Stokesbary Greeters Gail McLoud Sound Dave Stokesbary Worship Leader Shirley Wooters Easter 3/27/2016 Worship Leader Alan Wooters Clicker Mary Pa erson Greeters Joan Orness Sound Jeff Pa erson

LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS AND SERVICES

SOUP SUPPERS AT 6:00 P.M. AND WORSHIP AT 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, March 2nd - Zion Lutheran Wednesday, March 9th- Gowrie UMC Wednesday, March 16th - Zion Lutheran Sunday, March 20th – PALM SUNDAY, Worship 10:15 Wednesday March23rd - UMW LENTEN BREAKFAST AT GUMC 9:30 A.M. Thursday, March 24th - HOLY THURSDAY WORSHIP AT GUMC 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 25th - GOOD FRIDAY 6:45 P.M. HOT CROSS BUNS 7:00 P.M. WORSHIP Sunday, March 27th - EASTER SUNDAY 7:30 A.M. WORSHIP IN FELLOWSHIP HALL 8:15 A.M. BREAKFAST, 9:00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER EGG HUNT 10:15 A.M. WORSHIP

PAGE 6

T H E L I F E L I N E

MARCH 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 1:00 PM Quilters

2 5:30 PM Church Council Fi-nance Mee ng

6:00 PM Lenten Wednesday Service and Soup Supper- Zion Lutheran

3 6:30 PM Bible Study - Hosea

4 9:30 AM World Day of Prayer

1:00 PM Quilters

5 8:45 AM Men's Small Group

6 Communion SundayOne Great Hour of Sharing

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:15 AM Worship

7 5:30 PM Glory Bells

8 1:00 PM Quilters

9 3:00 PM BINGO at Care Center

6:00 PM Lenten Wednesday Service and Soup Supper- Gowrie UMC

10 9:00 AM UMW Book Club6:30 PM Bible Study - Hosea

11 9:00 AM Mom's Connec on Group

1:00 PM Quilters

12 8:45 AM Men's Small Group

13 9:00 AM Sunday School

10:15 AM Worship

2:30 PM Emmaus Reun-ion Group

14 5:30 PM Glory Bells

15 9:00 AM North Central Dis-trict Mission Study- UMW

1:00 PM Quilters

16 6:00 PM Lenten Wednesday Service and Soup Supper- Zion Lutheran

17 3:00 PM Worship Service at Gow-rie Care Center

6:30 PM Bible Study - Hosea

18 9:00 AM Mom's Connec on Group

1:00 PM Quilters

19 8:45 AM Men's Small Group

20 Palm Sunday

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:15 AM Worship

21 5:30 PM Glory Bells

22 1:00 PM Quilters

23 9:30 AM Lenten Breakfast

24 Maundy Thurs-day

25 Good Friday

9:00 AM Mom's Connec on Group

1:00 PM Quilters

6:40 PM Hot Cross Buns

7:00 PM Good Friday Worship

26 8:45 AM Men's Small Group

27 Easter Sunday

7:30 A.M. WORSHIP IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

8:15 A.M. BREAKFAST

9:00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER EGG HUNT

10:15 A.M. WORSHIP

28 5:30 PM Glory Bells

29 1:00 PM Quilters

30 7:00 PM Choir Prac ce

31 6:30 PM Bible Study - Hosea

PAGE 7

-

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gos-pels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street, and shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.

The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.

In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an occasion for reflecting on the final week of Jesus’ life. It is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection. http://centralumcatl.org/2012/04/the-meaning-of-palm-sunday/

What is Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)?

Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." As recorded in John's gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new command-ment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). This is why services on this night generally in-clude the washing of feet or other acts of physical care as an integral part of the celebration.

While John's gospel does not record the institution of the Lord's Supper among the events of this night, the other gospels do. Christians therefore keep this night with celebrations both at the basin (footwashing) and at the Lord's Table (Holy Communion). http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-maundy-thursday

What is “Good Friday”?

It is a day that proclaims God's purpose of loving and redeeming the world through the cross of our Lord, Je-sus Christ. It is a day that is good because God was drawing the world to God's self in Christ. As seen in John's gospel, particularly, God was in control. God was not making the best of a bad situation, but was working out God's intention for the world — winning salvation for all people. We call it "good" because we look backward at the crucifixion through the lens of Easter!

"Good Friday" is not a universal name for the day. The liturgical title for the day in the Western church was "Friday of Preparation," since the time Jews used the word paraskeue (getting ready) for Friday, meaning the "day of preparation." Popular names for the day are "Holy Friday" among the Latin nations, "Great Friday" among the Slavic peoples, "Friday of Mourning" in Germany, "Long Friday" in Norway, and "Holy Fri-day" (Viernes Santo) among Hispanic peoples.

What is….?

Gowrie United Methodist Church

1306 Market Street PO Box 479

Gowrie, Iowa 50543-0479 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

GOWRIE IA

PERMIT NO. 22

Label

QUICK NEWS Email the church office at gowrieumc@wccta.net to

be added to our weekly email distribu on list.

LIKE US

ON FACEBOOK

WEBSITE Past newsle ers, ministry highlights an updated cal-endar., and much , much

more….. gowrieumc.com

CD/ BULLETIN MINISTRY: Also if you would like to receive a weekly recording of the service and a bulle n or if you would like to receive a bulle n each week please call the church office. We mail out several weekly bulle ns to those that can not regularly a end worship as well as a few recordings of the week-ly service.

MANY WAYS TO STAY INFORMED…...