A Newsletter to Inspire and Celebrate Oakland United Methodists Vol. 19, No. 1 January 2011

January Calendar of Events Sun, Jan. 2 9:00 a.m. Sunday school 10:00 a.m. Worship w/Communion 11:00 a.m. Koinonia 11:15 a.m. confirmation class Wed. Jan 5 6:30—8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups Sun, Jan. 9 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Koinonia 11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones confirmation class Wed. Jan 12 6:30—8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups Sun, Jan. 16 9:00 a.m. Sunday school 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Koinonia 11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones confirmation class Wed. Jan 19 6:30—8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups Thu. Jan 20 7:00 p.m. Administrative Council Sun, Jan. 23 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Koinonia 11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones confirmation class Wed. Jan 26 6:30—8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups Sun, Jan. 30 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Koinonia 11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones confirmation class

"We invite all persons to be a part of our Community of Faith by participating in worship, education, fellowship and Christian service."

OAKLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 200 North Main PO Box 606 Oakland, IA 51560 Phone: 712-482-5530 Parsonage ph. 712-482-5539 E-mail: oaklandumc@frontiernet.net www.oaklandiaumc.org

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Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear

purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone for everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business, so don't ask. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

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An Englishman who was a passenger in a taxi in Dublin leaned over to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, drove over the curb, and stopped just inches away from falling into a river.

The cabdriver, still trembling, apologized. “I’m sorry,” he said, “but you scared the devil out of me.” The Englishman, also trembling, apologized to the driver and said he didn’t realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten the driver so much.

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Ilene Parkhill

11 Saint Lisa's Court Stafford, VA 22556

Phone 540-288-0207 Email KIParkhill@yahoo.com This address is her daughter's address: Karlene Fernow Ilene will be staying with her daughter while she is taking chemo treatments.

The Oakland United Methodist Church held a Chili Feed and displayed Nativity Sets on Saturday, November 27. The feed was well attended and everyone enjoyed viewing the sets and casting their votes. The winner of the door prize – a ceramic nativity set -- was Anita McMartin. There was a tie for “Most Beautiful” won by Lisa Rollins and Lucia Kinnison. The honor of “Favorite” was shared by Lisa Rollins and Sheryl Sindt. The “Most Unique” winner was Barb Schorsch.

Bernie and Norma Bolton’s 50th anniversary celebration including the minister that married them, Rev. & Mrs. Raymond Lott.

PLEDGE CARDS If you haven’t completed your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible and remember to fill in the information on the back and return them.

COAT DRIVE This year we are again collecting coats for the needy. Please drop off your slightly used, clean coats in the box in the entry of the church.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

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YOUTH MATTERS The junior and senior high youth groups will resume meeting the first Wednesday in January at their usual time. Junior High counselors are Sharon Jones and Rev. Textor. Jim Johnson is assisting them in teaching the youth to use the projection and sound system. Senior high counselors for January are ReAnn Hildebrand and Barb Schorsch assisted by Merlin Jones. Food coordinator for January through April is Lindsey Henderson. The confirmation class will continue meeting with Rev. Textor after worship in January and February. Be sure to thank these young people for their active participation in worship these past few months. And plan to be on hand for their confirmation which is scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011. A PERSONAL NOTE I greatly appreciate all your birthday and Christmas remembrances. Thanks for the cards and letters, Happy Birthday song , and the gifts—quite a few food certificates in the mix. I take it that my non cooking ability is well known! But most of all thank you for your prayers and your words of thanks, praise, and encouragement. I wish each and every one of you God’s blessings in the year ahead. With LOVE & JOY Rev. TEXtor RETHINK CHURCH Buildings provide a home base for countless ministries of the church, not the least of which is a place to gather for corporate worship. The church itself, however, will not be defined by the height of its steeple but the reach of its compassion, not the number of seats but the number of lives changed, not the shape of the doors but the disciples that pass

through them as they head out into the world to make a difference in Jesus’ name. (Jessica Miller Kelley; Managing Editor, Circuit Rider)

VOLUNTEER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

DISTRICT STATISTICIAN

The Southwest District is looking for someone who might be interested in volunteering to serve as the District Statistician. (Contact the church office for a brief description of what this position would entail). If interested, please contact the Southwest District Office at 712-243-8573, or by e-mail (Shirley.Lewis@iaumc.org).

ADDRESSES Jefferson, Bradley TF 168 IN HHC FOB GARDEX APO AE 09364 Jared Myers ET Comm. USS Oklahoma City SSN 723 FPO AE 09581-2403 Hackett, Matt (great nephew of Jessie Shiffer) A/1-168 IN COP 8 Herrera APO AE 09364 Sonja Husz B Co 307th ESB, 212 SCR FOB Apache APO AE 09383

Dear friends, The key word is RETIREMENT! After the people in church sang Happy Birthday to me December 19, some kind soul asked if I was 62. I couldn’t help being flattered since it was actually the occasion for my 66th birthday! And it’s that number, 66, which has been one of the deciding factors for me; it’s time for me to retire, not just from being pastor of the Oakland United Methodist Church but also from serving as a pastor in our denomination. The Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference, Julius Trimble, has accepted my retirement decision. So our District Superintendent, Brian Milford, called for a meeting of our Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee this Tuesday evening (4th), so that I could announce my retirement plans and the committee could begin considering what gifts a new pastor might bring to this church. You’ve been so supportive of me in the five years I’ve been here. You’ve prayed for me, offered me words of praise and encouragement, given sound advice, subbed for me in the pulpit when my voice gave way—and most important of all, you surrounded me with love and comfort and understanding both before and after my mother died. A number of good things have taken place since I arrived, but the most fun thing for me has been the privilege of working with your children. What stories I have to tell about baptisms, VBS, children’s messages, and one-on-one private conversations (sometimes shared right in front of the whole church). And what could possibly be more rewarding than the countless greetings, high fives, and hugs they have given me. It’s satisfying for me to be moving on at a time when things are going well for us. We paid our apportionments in full in November and met our budget by mid December. We even have funds on hand for a good start in 2011. We were able to support a number of worthy causes through our mission giving. Most of our committees have been working hard and functioning well. Our officer list is the most complete we’ve had during my time here. We have a solid Sunday School and youth group program. Our projection system has been installed and is being put to good use. We have six active young people in confirmation, etc. Now, even though I’m in the process of retiring, I’ll still be serving as your pastor through the month of June. So don’t write me off yet; because there’s lots of good things that can still happen between now and then! LOVE & JOY Rev. Shirley TEXtor

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NURSERY

VOLUNTEERS

January

USHERS,

GREETERS,

CANDLELIGHT ERS

Jan 2 Doc & LaVinna Blanchard Kyra Martens & Andrew Jones Candle lighters: Grace Gleaves & Andrew Jones

Jan 9 Mark & Lynelle Jeppesen Grace Gleaves & Hayley Haines Candle lighters: Hannah Hummel & Andrew Jones

Jan 16 Skip & Ilene Applegate Andrew & Sarah Jones Candle lighters: Hannah Hummel & Kyra Martens

Jan 23 Marty & Kristy Rieken Kyra Martens & Grace Gleaves

Candle lighters: Sarah Jones & Hayley Haines

Jan 30 Larry & Judie Danker Hannah Hummel & Andrew Jones Candle lighters: Hayley Haines & Grace Gleaves

KOINONIA (No more phone call reminders)

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

2nd Kristy Rieken Sheila Applegate Robin Jefferson 9th Leah Belle Lynelle Jeppesen Pam Ehmke 16th Lisa Pierson Barb Schorsch Pam Ehmke 23rd Lindsey Henderson Lisa Pierson Pam Ehmke 30th Work on Valentine’s gifts/ game day

SR. HIGH YOUTH COUNSELORS January ReAnn Hildebrand & Barb Schorsch

February Veva Larson & Cathey Grosvenor

2 Cyndy Haines

9 Lindsay Bentley

16 Carol Wilson

23 30

Lisa Pierson Norma Bolton

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Joel Hopping 2 Nancy Bartlett 2 Ashley Way 3 Emily Johnson 3 Alec Haukoos 4 Kristy Bane 5 Darlene Frizzell 5 Jamie Ewalt 5 Brent Applegate 6 Kolton Finnegan 7 Doug Carley 7 Heather Pitt 7 Joel Sowers 8 Gerald Wilson 9 LaVinna Blanchard 9 Nolan Pierce 11 Mary Applegate 11 Cale Roller 12 Evan Gleaves 13 Larry Danker 13 Jason Haines 14 Brad Cleaveland 15 Jessie Shiffer 15 Marv Thompson 15 Dave Woodward 17 Phillip Hamilton 17 Greg Bentley 18 Jesse Schwieso 19 Ryan Danker 20 Fred Henry 21 Craig Hummel 21 Jacob Schwarte 23 Rachel Allensworth 23 Tonya Samson 23 Renee’ Samson 25 Justine Cleaveland 27 Claire Palmer 27 Zach McMahon] 27 Brody Kinnison 28 Judie Danker 28 Lindsay Bentley 30 Don Hildebrand 31 Dick Cleaveland

REMEMBER OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN Dane Nelsen, step-grandson of Daryl & Rita Henningsen; Matt Hackett, great nephew of Jessie Shiffer; Kristie Copenhaver, John & Mary Lou Copenhaver’s daughter; Alan Walker; Kelly Holdaway; Josh Harker; Jeremy Harker; Brad Jefferson, son of Dan & Robin Jefferson; Jared Myers, son of Robert Myers and Sid & Tami Skank; Tyler Williamson, son of Michelle Swope; Jon Reed, son of Phil & Denise Reed; Sonja Husz; Lucas Smith, Addie Mae’s grandson; Brian Thornton from Avoca; Craig Bintz, grandson of Larry & Judie Danker serving in Japan; Tyler Clark, Marvin & Carolyn Clark’s grandson serving in Alaska, Brad Grosvenor, Cathey Grosvenor’s son stateside, and other area service men and women. If you have a loved one in the service and wish to have them listed on our prayer list, please contact the church office.

NURSING HOMES - Remember those in the nursing homes with cards and visits. Oakland Manor: Mary Applegate, Margaret Alff, Dorothy Forristall, Pauline Hogzett Oakland Heights: Eileen Haines, Lucille Bentley Griswold Nursing Home: Merle Davis Primrose: Lois Allen Harlan: Dorothy Liddell

is January 20

9:00 A.M.

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