Outback Rock may have been small in number, but we had a great time learning & playing & crafting! Our central theme was that God is Always with us, & we learned that through the story of Joseph & Jesus' resurrection. Our mission money this year will go to Biblica for the purchase of colorful, kid-friendly, Thai language New Testaments to children in the Buddhist country of Thailand. For every $4 collected, a NT bible will go into the hands of a child. We will send money in the second week of July, if you would like to donate to this. Write VBS mission in the memo.

Thank you to everyone who helped or provided cookies.

 

  The 2015 Confirmation class- Jocelyn Amos, Claire Smith Roni Hook, Jena Reynolds, and Kyla Amos, Amy Hook and Amy Smith got together on Thursday, June 25 and had an evening out.  They went to Clarinda, and ate supper at Cazador. Then they went to the Painting Barn Studio where they each got to paint  a 16” x 20” cross.

Fun was had by all and will do another outing later on.  

UMW –news

        World Thanks Offering allows individuals to response to God’s abundant grace with gifts of gratitude. The UMW has decided to do something each month to raise money for World Thanks.  During the month of July, we will put a penny in a jar for each cup of coffee, water, tea or soda pop drank during the month.
   Then come November when we have a World Thanks program at UMW we will total up all the money we have collected during the past few month and send it to the UMW district office.   The money we raise will go towards one of many Missions the United Methodist Women sponsor.
   If you wish to help the UMW out just put your penny in a jar, can or glass for each drink you have during the months of July. On August 1, turn your money into the church office, Laura Amos, Doris Houser or Bette Tye. 
   Thanks for your support of the UMW.

July Scriptures

5.   2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13
12. 2 Samuel 6:5,12-19, Psalm 24, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29
19. 2 Samuel 7:1-14, Psalm 89:20-37, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
26.  2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21

July Responsibility list
Greeters                    
5.  Gary & Kathy Bergstrom
12. Duane & Karen Woodward
19. Stanley & Marilyn Krisinger
26. Rip & Carolyn Lukehart
Ushers
5.   Logan & Brittany Weirich
12. Shirley Adams, Amy Burnside,
            Lisa Buchanan, Bette Tye
19. Gaylan & Jean Holst &
            Lynn & Pat Schaaf
26.  Kay Cary, Deb Arp, Peggy Casey, Amy Carlisle,
Liturgist
5.     Jan Brown
12.   Jack Drake
19.   Gail Maxwell
26.  Myra Hansen
Communion
5.  Wayne & Bette Tye

DWIGHT WRITES

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

July in Iowa is a season of growth for most of those items planted in the spring.  Some things are matured and ready for harvest.  A few items are planted in this season, but for most it is a time of growing.

For each one of us, as persons of faith, it is meant to be a time of growing.  Faith has been planted in you, as a gift from God.  It can only grow if you have received it.  For us to be changed and grow in our faith, we discover that it is a partnership project with God.  As Bishop Reuben Job, former Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference, wrote “Conversion” in A Guide To Prayer For All Who Seek God, p. 249 “We cannot transform ourselves and God does not transform us against our wishes.  However, once we invite God’s transforming presence into our lives, the necessary power to change comes with transforming presence.”

We can only grow what we plant or what has been planted in us.  Let us all be intentional about our growth in the faith during these long sunny days of summer.

Might we all grow ever more in love with God and all that God loves.

I would like to close with a Nesting.  I hope these words might speak to and for you.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Dwight

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a new day.

 

This is a new day

starting long before the rising sun.

This is a new day.

Starting long before the rising sun

everything in darkness longs for the light.

This is a new day

starting long before the rising sun.

Everything in darkness longs for the light

noticing the flicker of grace, sparkling in every love.

 This is a new day.

Starting long before the rising sun

everything in darkness longs for the light.

Noticing the flicker of grace sparkling in every love

becomes part of the cascading mystery of the Holy.

 

This…is…a…new…day… …