Friends Newsletter MAY 2016—Volume 137

From the Pastor’s Desk…

The temperatures are finally warming up as April winds down and we get ready to go into May. I love all the seasons. Spring

is such a time for new growth. The grass greens up and we start to mow it. The trees are full of buds and the flowers are

pushing their way through the ground as well.

With spring also comes planting season. I have enjoyed watching the barren looking fields spring to life as the ground is pre-

pared and then the seed is planted in anticipation of a great harvest. Life just seems to get a boost every spring when every-

thing is new and fresh again.

Funny thing is the harvest will never take place if the ground is not prepared and the seed not planted. If there are no rain

and no care along the way the seed will have a hard time producing an abundant harvest? What about your Spiritual life?

Have you prepared your heart? Has the seed been planted?

We want an abundant harvest of hearts and lives given to Jesus Christ. How can you help prepare the heart and plant the

seed in your family? What about that co-worker or good friend? Make sure you continue to nourish the seed planted in your

heart by spending time in God’s word and in prayer with him. We are all called to go spread the seed of the good news of

Jesus Christ.

Greeters Schedule...

FRONT ENTRANCE:

CANOPY ENTRANCE:

May 1-Don and Dee Van Genderen

May 8-Duane and Sherry Harthoorn

May 15-Verlan and Lori Vos

May 22-Mark and Missy Doll

May 29-Boyd and Kathy Arthur

May 1-Dave and Bonnie Van Rees

May 8-Jim Bob Suiter, Faith & Sierra

May 15-Matt and Lisa James

May 22-Glen and Cris Lewis

May 29-Gorman and LaDonna Rozendaal

Best Wishes

Graduates!

We congratulate you on graduation,

And pray more success comes your way.

May the Lord fill your life with happiness,

With every step you take.

New challenges stand before you,

We pray your faith stands strong.

For our love and prayers are with you,

But your future’s in God’ hands.

Lynnville Friends Council

These are condensed minutes from the Young Friends meeting, which was held on Sunday, April 24. 2016 Mission Trip - July 24-30:

18 students. 3 boys, 15 girls. Airline tickets are reserved. Pre-trip meetings are scheduled for Sunday, June 26

and July 10 at 6:30. June 26 include parents. Make color copies of passports prior to the trip.

Reviewed service fundraiser requests. Envelope Fundraiser: We are going to start this on Sun-

day, April 24.

Senior Farewell / Year End Party. Wednesday, April 13. Reviewed and made notes for next year. We had a great turnout and everything went smoothly. Thanks to the Young Friends committee for all their help!

Senior recognition Sunday. Sunday, May 8. Congratula-tions to our FOCUS seniors!

Jamie Beyer Noah Engle

Mary Chaffin Naomi Shinkle

Paige Eilander Ross Van Wyk

Summer TEC is scheduled for July 15-17 at Sully First Reformed Church.

7

th & 8

th grade summer trip. Friday, August 12 -

Wednesday, August 17. Will be sending a mailing to students and parents.

Lynnville Women’s Club request for FOCUS students to help with the ball diamond concession stand.

Camp Quaker Heights 2016. Register at www.iaym.org/

events. All camps are determined by grade complet-ed. Save $25 by registering by May 13.

June 10-12 Little Fry (K-2) June 12-17 Middle/High School June 17-19 Young Adult Weekender June 19-23 Elementary

Next meeting will be Sunday, May 22.

Young Friends

The Council met on April 14 at 7:00. Those present were Bev Flander, Linda Beyer, Pastor Jamie, Mike Terpstra, Verlan Vos and Stacey James.

Prayer requests were brought before the council.

Old Business

Mesquakie Work Day is planned for Saturday, April 16. We are expecting around 17 workers. We will be splitting and stacking wood. There will be a church service at 5:00 p.m. for those who wish to stay around. After the service Mac will be taking a group to visit the settlement.

New baby items have been purchased and placed in the nursery.

Spring Body of Representatives was held on March 19 with rep-resentatives attending from our church.

New Business

The Women's Bible Study is planning a 5-day club in Maida's backyard sometime this spring/summer. Child Evangelism Fel-lowship out of Oskaloosa organizes and trains the teenagers that will be conducting the 5-day club. 5-day club is set up much like a Bible School.

Committee Reports

Trustees:

Another bid has been received for the lift. The uninstalled lift bid is $11,000 and it will be another $7000 for the concrete. There was concern that we should pay the extra money and have it installed by professionals that way we know it meets all regula-tions.

Brian and Monica Lanser will once again be taking care of the lawn.

Instead of replacing the light fixtures in the kitchen it was decid-ed to just replace the bulbs. New light fixtures are still needed for the hallway upstairs.

Trustees would like to have a clean up day with someone from each committee represented.

Boiler inspection has been completed.

Treasure's Report:

Treasure's report looks good and offerings have been very con-sistent. Linda is officially retiring from being treasure. We thank her for her many years of service.

USFW:

USFW met on April 4. The committee will make known that they have funds set aside to assist any camper needing help pay-ing for camper fees. Books were purchased at Spring Fling for USFW readers. Teacher's appreciation day is May 6. They dis-cussed bringing treats into the preschools for the teachers.

Elder: Senior Recognition will be Sunday, May 8. Bibles will need to be ordered.

An insert about church committee expectations will be placed in the bulletin. Please pray for the committees that need to be filled. Christian Ed

Kids 4 Christ is done for the year.

Continued…..

Bible school plans are in progress.

Missy will meet with Pastor Jamie in May to discuss the 2015-2016 Sunday School year and set vision/goals for 2016-2017.

Pastor Report

Several have requested to become members of the church.

Pastor is looking at planning a few church social events for the community such as photo scavenger hunts, car hop, and other games.

Next meeting will be Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m.

MAY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 Camp registration deadline today to

save $25

14

15 16 17 18

19 20 21

22 Young Friends

meet

23 24

25

26 27

28

29 30 31

Council meets 7pm

Elders meet 7 pm

Check out our new website:

www.lynnvillefriends.org

Missions Sun-day and Senior Recognition Sunday

Mis-sions/Trustees meet 7 pm

USFW-5 p.m.

Hope Minis-tries in DM from 6-7 pm

Pg. 4

U.S.F.W. Our meeting was held at Lyn Kinney’s home at 5p.m. Monday, April 4th. Those attending were: Ronda Lanser, Reggie Kaldenberg, Betty Spangenburg, Cindy Norman, Garnet Gertsma, Norma Waters, and Bev Flander.

Cindy presented a Thank You card for our help with her Triennial fees.

It was decided to pay for a child’s camp fees asked, this June. We will make known that we have some funds set aside to assist for a camper if needed.

We will be buying books for our readers at Spring Fling at Middle River Carlisle on Saturday the 9th. Our Iowa Literature person, Cathie Zeliadt , will be providing only 2 books of each for us to see. We can order and she will mail them to us at no charge if needed.

Lorrie Ludwick of rural Lynnville has broken her wrist. We will send her a get well card. She is our state secretary for Iowa USFW.

Norma Waters has become a member of our USFW. She will also be a USFW Reader.

Teacher’s appreciation day is the 1st Friday in May (May 6th). Discus-sion concerning making cookies for pre schools lounge room for the teachers, but no decision was made.

Submitted by Lyn Kinney

Highlights from

Spring Fling USFW Spring Fling was held Apr. 9 at Middle River Friends in Carlisle, IA. Those from our area attending were Garnet Gertsma, Bev Flander, Reva Jones from New Sharon, Reggie Kaldenberg, Betty Spangenberg and Cheryl Hansen from Newton and Lyn Kinney.

Coffee time gathering was fun with all the visiting with others from the different USFW groups. The rolls, muffins and coffee and tea varieties were en-joyed by all.

President Kerry Hadley opened service with prayer, announcements and offering. Hannah Maselli and Jake Spencer led the group with a host of upbeat songs.

Sharing with each USFW Circle was next. It was in-teresting to discover what other groups do to pro-vide for their area of need. Lyn Kinney spoke for our circle. Lunch included several salads, chicken salad/croissants, tea and coffee. After more circles shared their stories, the meeting was closed in prayer by Pres. Kerry Hadley.

May birthdays:

1– Melesa Bogaard

2– Garrett DeHoedt

8-Jane Vander Weerdt

10-Bev Van Gen-deren,

Ron Dunwoody

11-Mark Doll

13-David Gertsma

14-Corey Harthoorn

17-Boyd Arthur

20-Carroll Beyer

22-Rich VanManen

23-Scott Van Soelen

24-Caden Doll

25-Mary Lou Beyer

26-Monica Lanser

29-Missy Doll

31-Bailey Terpstra

May anniver-saries:

8-Todd and Re-gina Kaldenberg

12-Lynn and Shelly VandeKrol

21-Dwight and Kim Harsselaar

25-Phil and Lynn Stafford

A Chicken & Noodle Dinner will be held on Sunday May 1,2016, 12:00 noon at

Honey Creek – New Providence Friends in New Providence. This will be a fund

raiser for Kenya Friends Theological College Solar Electric Project.

“Friends Theological College (FTC) is an institution dedicated to the training of

Friends pastors, as well as to the academic progress, personal development, and

spiritual growth of the students whom God is calling to other ministries. Located

on the Kaimosi Mission in Kenya's Hamisi District, FTC has worked since 1942

to fulfill its mission statement: "to prepare and equip leaders for Christian minis-

try who meet recognized professional and academic standards and are able to

challenge society to live by the teachings of Christ." Together, the FTC communi-

ty seeks to integrate faith, Scripture, and knowledge in training the present and

future leaders of churches in East Africa; and to foster in individual hearts and

lives the process of maturing in Christ.” (obtained from FTC web page)

Jim & Donna Hoeksema are in Kenya now and recently wrote: “We don't expect

to be able to do everything they want, but we do hope to get at least the first solar

electric system up and running before we leave. Right now we are still about

$7,000 short of what we need for that first project. I am hoping we can start con-

struction in a couple weeks and trust that the rest will come in later. We are enjoy-

ing being back in Kenya, but you know the frustrations that come with it. Thanks

for thinking of us.”

If you would like to give a donation please make checks payable to HCNP

Friends and in the memo add FTC Solar Energy Project and

send it to: Honey Creek – New Providence Friends, 604 Cherry Drive. New

Providence, IA 50206

~A great way to support missions!

KNOW YOUR BIBLE

66 separate books, 1189 chapters, thousands of words, the Bible shares

one message: GOD loves you! I thought it would be interesting to sum up

each chapter in this newsletter each month to see how this glorious book

came to be and how we can learn from it.

Song of Soloman Soloman ruled around 970-930 BC. This chapter is about married love and what

a beautiful thing is worth celebrating.

A dark-skinned beauty if marrying the king, and both are thrilled, “Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold,

thou are fair; thou hast doves’ eyes” he tells her(1:15). “Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also

our bed is green,” she responds (1:16). Through eight chapters and 117 verses, the two lovers admire each

other’s physical beauty, expressing their love and devotion.

This chapter is unique and unusual like the book of Esther, Song of Solomon never mentions the name

“God.” God made marriage for the husband and wife’s enjoyment—and that marital love can be a picture of

God’s joy in His people.

Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth: for they love is better than wine. (1:2). He brought me to the ban-

queting house, and his banner over me was love. (2:4). Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the

floods drown it. (8:7).

Pg. 5

Not that Committed

This is a story about two New Yorkers, best friends, who decided that they had had it with city living, so they bought a ranch in Texas in order to live off the land like their ancestors. The first thing they decided they needed was a mule to pull a plow. So they went to a neighboring rancher and asked him if he had any mules to sell. The rancher said, “No, sorry.”

They were disappointed but continued talking with the rancher for a few minutes more. One of them spot-ted a bunch of honeydew melons stacked against the barn and asked, “what are those things?” The rancher, seeing that they were city slickers, decided to have some fun. “Oh, “ he answered, “ those are mule eggs. You

take one of those eggs home and wait for it to hatch and you’ll have your mule.”

They city slickers were overjoyed, so they bought one of the melons, placed it in the back of their pickup, and drove down the bumpy road toward their own spread. Suddenly they hit an especially bad bump and honey-dew melon bounced out of the back of their pickup, hit the road, and busted open! Looking into his rearview mirror the driver saw what had happened and slammed on the brakes, turned the truck around and drove back to retrieve their mule egg.

Meanwhile a big old Texas jackrabbit came hopping by and saw the honeydew burst open in the road. He hopped over to it and standing in the middle of the mess began to eat it. At about that time, the two city slicker friends came running toward the smashed melon and spied this long-eared Texas creature in the middle of it! One of the friends shouted, “Our mule egg has hatched! Let’s get our mule!”

Moments For

FRIENDS

But seeing these two characters running toward it, the jackrabbit took off hopping in every direction, changing directions with the city slickers in hot pursuit. Give them credit, these two New Yorkers gave it everything they had...finally they could go no further.

Both of these good friends dropped wearily onto the ground gasping for air as they watched the jackrabbit hog off into the distance. Raising up on one elbow, one of the men said to the other, “Well, I guess we lost our mule.”

The other friend nodded, grimly, “Yes, but you know,” he said, “I’m not sure I wanted to plow that fast anyway.”

Today’s Quote: It takes a long time to grow an old friend.—-John Leonard

Today’s Verse: So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and

be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun (Eccles. 8:15).

~A great way to support missions!

“Congratulations Graduates!”

Members of the FOCUS youth group and 2016 graduating seniors are: Ross Van Wyk, Mary Chaffin, Ja-mie Beyer, Naomi Schinkle, Noah Engle. Not pictured: Paige Eilander.

Baccalaureate will be at the Lynnville-Sully High School On May 16th. Gradu-ation ceremonies will be Sat., May 21.

Mission committee

minutes

April 4, 2016

Members Present: Randy VanderWeerdt, Ryan McDonald, Ciara McDonald, Linda Beyer and Dee Van-Genderen.

Devotions: “Exercise Faith by Setting Goals. Proverbs 17: by Dee

Old Business:

Bulletin Board—Ciara will update this. She will highlight the missions trips that are run by Jack and Amber Mututwa. If someone is interested in an adult mission trip this would be a great way to support them in their efforts.

Ryan will talk to Katy and see how much money she is still in need of. We will give her 10% of the total still needed. $5000 has been mentioned. Its difficult to get an exact amount since she doesn’t know where she will go after her training in Hawaii.

Discussed freezer meals for Mesquakie Friends. They have plenty of freezer space. They serve 50 peo-ple every Thursday night. Formal events come to a close at the end of June. They will have a sum-mer program meeting on Monday nights. We decided to get a few things put together before April 16. This way the group going to help them split wood on that day can bring some food for their freezer. Ryan will ask the church for donations of money/ground beef when he presents for mis-sion Sunday. Ciara and Dee discussed fixing tator tot casserole, pizza casserole, taco meat and pos-sibly pulled pork. We will do more meals later and get the church involved.

Ryan talked to Pastor Mark about lowering their support to be in line with other missionaries we sup-port. We agreed to pay their insurance for two years. This time will be up at the end of the year. Starting in Jan. 2017 we will be sending them $100/monthly. They thanked us and understand and are very appreciative for the support we have been supplying them.

We decided to table supporting Derek and Kristy Johnson (Jane’s niece)as we do not have the money in our budget right now. Since our meeting I talked to Jane and they have raised 100% of their support and have purchased plane tickets. J

New Business:

Linda mentioned that the East Jasper Co. Food bank is in desperate need of support. This is something we will consider helping when we raise more money.

Ryan will talk to Pastor Jamie about fundraising ideas. Decided to wait on any fundraising until the kids have gone on their summer mission trip as we don’t want to compete with them and the church has been hit hard trying to help them raise their support.

It was discussed the difference between mission school and someone doing missions. The consensus was if an individual is earning college credits for the schooling we will not fund them thru the mis-sions committee. This has not been an issue, we just wanted to have something down if we were asked as some point about this.

Next meeting is May 2nd at 6:30. Ron Nikkel has devotions. Ryan ended with prayer.