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Pilgrim’s Progress July 2015 Issue “The purpose of this church shall be to bind together followers of Jesus Christ, for the object of sharing in the worship of God and in seeking His will for our lives, especially as that will is set forth in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Page 1 Pastor’s Message July Sermons Missions Moment Page 2 Birthdays, Anniversaries UCW Information Youth Group Happenings VBS 2015 Nooma Nights Service on Saturday Page 3 Stuff the Bus Moderator’s Corner Spotlight on Bill & Nancy Grabe Page 4 Clean-Up Day @ FCC Page 5 Calendar
Church Contact Info: FCC
312 W. Main St. Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-4239 www.fccmarshalltown.org
1 Peter 2:15-17 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men-as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond for servants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. July 4th is the 239th birthday of the United States of America, and as such, is a good time to celebrate and reflect on our rights and freedoms. The founding fathers said that freedom is maintained by diligence. It is something that is given by God but there are people who, history teaches, will try to deny it from others. Benjamin Franklin, a man who gave us many notable quotes, has left us these two: "Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature." and “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few his precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1757*
Franklin echoes, I believe, the words of St. Peter in these statements. We should relish and defend our freedoms and do so in the pursuit of that which is good for all people, aware that for the Christian, freedom is not a lack of restraints, but full opportunity to be servants of God. Freedom itself, then, exists that we may serve our Lord as fully as we possibly can; knowing that good done in the name of Christ defends freedom, for it tends to "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men". Relish your freedoms then, and do what is right, knowing that we are most free when we act as servants of Christ. Have a wonderful Fourth of July. Pastor Dan http://www.cancertutor.com/quotes_presidents/
Sermons for July July 5 Strength Through Dependency 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 July 12 The God Over Nations Amos 7:7-15 July 19 The Monarch Jeremiah 23:1-6 July 26 God Sees Secrets 2 Samuel 11:1-15
Missions Moment Since the last newsletter My Kinsman Ministries has been preparing for a short-term trip to Sierra Leone Africa. Recently, our Sunday School spent a morning preparing "ABC" books for school. Even though English is the official language, many do not speak it and need to learn it in school. The personalized "ABC" booklets are one way our church has reached out and touched the children impacted by this wonderful mission. MKM has responded to the needs of the nation by starting a school, as well as a church, among other ministries. Sierra Leone is a nation with many challenges. Devastated by the Ebola virus, the county has a multitude of children with no living adult relatives. 25% of all children do not live past the age of five, 50% of the survivors receive little or no education. There is, on average, one doctor for every 70,000 people. The country is 95% Muslim, so Christian churches are uncommon. This is just a portion of the challenges MKM faces and the work they do and why they are one of the primary missions supported by the Mission Committee.
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Happy July Birthdays! Beth Adams July 2 Ron Ohrt July 3 Amber Lawthers July 4 Beth Lawthers July 4 Kaisa Stanley July 4 Miriam Bryant July 5 Lorrie Damman July 5 Dave Hall July 5 Kim Schryver July 5 Tyler Reeder July 6 Bev Swenson July 6 Carlton Kothenbeutel July 8 Mike Woltjer July 8 David Dickey July 12 Marilyn Rhodes July 12 Al Hays July 14 Sanny Thompson July 15 Jane Ragland July 18 Julie Squiers July 19 Krystal Randall July 20 Don Lunsford July 21 Kelly Calderon July 22 Susan Ferneau July 22 JP Howard July 23 Max Meyer July 24 Ken Kreykes July 25 Margaret Klink July 26 Larry Good July 27 Danielle Propst July 27 Tom Southard July 27 Mackenzie Estabrook July 28 Alecia Storjohann July 28 Matthew Dickey July 31 Eleanor Rowden July 31 Mildred Rowden July 31
July Anniversaries @ FCC!!!! Bob & Judy Gaynor, 7/1/2006
JP & Jennifer Howard, 7/1/1995 Charlie & Brenda Morris, 7/3/1982
Kirk & Cindy Shirar, 7/6/1991 John & Lisa Beaty, 7/9/2004
Jose & Kelly Calderon, 7/12/2002 Dave & Trisha Gill, 7/12/2008
Marcus & Chantel Woerner, 7/12/2008 Ken & Darcie Lunsford, 7/14/1984 Zachary & Tara Juhl, 7/21/2012
Ron & Vicki Long, 7/24/1971
UNITED CIRCLE OF WOMEN “A fellowship of Christian women being faithful in word and deed to our church and community.”
United Circle of Women does not meet during the summer. We look forward to starting our 2015-16 year
Thursday, September 24, 2015. Julianne Paustian, Meeting Leader,
Miriam Bryant Treasurer, Julianne Packer, Secretary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUTH GROUP
HAPPENINGS!
Sunday school for preschool-12th grade in the Loft
starting at 9:15am every Sunday. This summer we will be working together to serve the Lord through some fun service projects and learning more about God's love.
Popcorn and movie night Planned for Friday, July 10th at 7pm in the fellowship hall. Planning to watch Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day rated PG13: The whole family and congregation is invited!
______________________________________________________________________________________ VBS 2015: SonSpark Labs July 27-31 5:30-8pm for ages 4-12 years old. Please contact Shelly Speas or Angie Dickey to get signed up!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOOMA NIGHT? No, a BONFIRE NIGHT JULY 5th! We won’t do a study in July, but instead Greg and Kristin Meyer
will host a bonfire at their home, 1901 W. Olive St., and YOU ARE INVITED! Roasted
hot dogs and smores…5-8pm…call 485-8577 and let them know you’ll be attending!! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Service on Saturday
July 11th starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. No Sermon topic was suggested so Pastor Dan will come up with something
interesting! Hope to see you there! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The task ahead of us is never as
Great as the Power behind us.Page 2
For several years, the House of Compassion has offered the community an opportunity to make a significant difference in the education of students from low income families by soliciting and distributing basic school supplies to Marshall County
children in grades Pre-K thru 12. Items needed are as follows: pocket folders (assorted colors) spiral notebooks 10-12 pencils notebook paper erasable pens (black or blue) scissors eraser & pencil-top erasers red pens facial tissues glue or glue sticks box of 24 crayons pencil box box of 12 colored pencils A collection box will be placed in Fellowship Hall during the months of June & July. Any monetary donations will be used to buy items that are in short supply.
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A MODERATOR’S CORNER
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love,
so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding,
in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2: 2-3
We are the church…not the building, not the land, not the bank account….WE , God’s people, are the Church. Do you ever think of special people who are or maybe were part of your life? People who loved you unconditionally? People who encouraged you? People who helped you develop a stronger faith in our Lord Jesus? I think of people from my growing up years in Mason City. I think of friends and family members then and now, and all those I have been blessed to know in Marshalltown the past 41 years… including those here at First Congregational Church. My joy in the Lord has been and is nurtured. My love for learning is challenged. My delight in worship and music is enriched. My hunger for friends and fellowship is continually fed. We are the church. As we consider the vision for our church, may all that we do and say share the love, encouragement, and unshakable faith in our Lord Jesus Christ with all God’s children. May our outreach every day reflect God’s will as we individually and collectively lift our needs and the needs of others to Him in prayer. Then may we listen and search for His directions. May it be so…for….WE ARE GOD’S CHURCH. Dear God,
We praise you and thank you for opening our eyes and spirits to You. You have given us all that we need to do your will. Please strengthen us that we may now and always be about the business of doing it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Julianne Paustian
on
Bill & Nancy Grabe! A real estate sign is posted on West Main St, marking the upcoming departure of Bill and Nancy Grabe. They will soon move to Cedar Rapids where they have already purchased a home, to be close to their daughter Erin and 4 year old grandson, Owen. FCC has been blessed to have had their presence and involvement for 12 years, and they will be greatly missed. Once upon a time, two college students met at Iowa State, and fell in love. They were married with Nancy having a few more years of school left. They moved to Marshalltown, and raised three children, two daughters and a son. Rob lives in Brooklyn, NY and works as a graphic sports editor for Topps Baseball Cards. Erin has made Cedar Rapids her home, and is a lawyer for the Trust Department of Hills Bank. Sarah resides in Aurora, CO and is a navigational analyst with Jeppeson Aviation. Bill has essentially worked for the same company for 40 years! He recently retired as the President and CEO of Clapsaddle-Garber Associates, a civil engineering and land surveying firm. Nancy is currently a first grade teacher at GMG Elementary. She will continue teaching for two more years, commuting from Cedar Rapids. Bill is looking forward to playing guitar, bicycling and babysitting Owen, who has just graduated from preschool. They look forward to enjoying the offerings of the city, especially the theatre. The Grabe family came to First Congregational Church 12 years ago through a mutual friend. Their church background included Bill being raised Lutheran, with Nancy having been involved in Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian Churches. Together, they attended the Methodist Church here in Marshalltown. They were especially pleased with Pastor Barry Holmes’ friendliness when visiting FCC. They have been involved in many areas of our church. Bill was on the trustees committee for 10 years and was in charge of the project involving the renovation of the portico, driveway and a new church sign. He was also on the search committee, the endowment committee, and is currently a member-at-large for the cabinet. Nancy was the Chair of Christian Education, as well as the director of Vacation Bible School for 4 years. She was a head deacon, and led the high school Sunday school class for 4 years. They ended our interview saying that FCC has always been very welcoming and friendly to them, and they have made some great friends here. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
God doesn't call the qualified, He
qualifies the called. Page 3
Clean up day went very well at FCC. The photos show our accomplishments! Many hands made quick work of this project! Appreciate the work of Al Hays, Max & Liz Meyer, Ken Kreykes, Cherryl & Erin Woltjer, Pastor Dan, Donn Anderson and Bob McGregor and anyone else who was here and we missed getting their name included! Thank you all!
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JULY 2015 FCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS!
Sunday Worship services: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY When inclement weather occurs, please refer to the following radio stations for announcement of cancellation of our worship services: KDAO 1190 am or 99.5 fm Church Offices Hours: KIX 101.1 fm Monday – Friday KFJB 1230 am 9 a.m. – Noon
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday color code: youth events church meetings special events Community Events
1 W.W.
2
3 11am Gruver/Alvarado rehearsal
4
2pm Gruver/Alvarado wedding
5 Communion 9:15am Sunday School all ages
5-8pm Bonfire@ Greg&Kristin Meyers 1901 W. Olive St.
6 House of Compassion Prepare supper Help welcomed! contact: Liz Meyer 641-750-2929
7 W.W.
8 6:30 Trustees
W.W.
9 10 10-noon Stamp Club 7pm Movie Nite! “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day”
11 5:00pm Service on Saturday
12 9:15am Sunday School all ages
13 14 5:30pm Ben & Missions W.W.
15
W.W.
16
17
18
19 9:15am School all ages
20 6:30 pm BCE mtg
21
W.W.
22 W.W.
23
24 10-noon Stamp Club
25 11am MOW@MMSC
26 9:15am School all ages
27
5:30-8:00pm
28 W.W.
5:30-8:00pm
29 W.W.
5:30-8:00pm
30
5:30-8:00pm
31
5:30-8:00pm
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First Congregational Church 312 W. Main St. Marshalltown, IA 50158
- Address Service Requested -
