PASTOR AIMEE’S CORNER

New London Presbyterian ChurchMay/June 2016 Messenger

March/ April 2017 Messenger

Pastor’s Corner“Meeting Jesus”

If you could sit down with any person, dead or alive, who would it be? Would you pick someone that you’ve admired since you were old enough to walk? Would it be someone famous, ordinary, or somewhere in between? At one point in time, one of my picks would have been Abraham Lincoln, who sought to keep the union together, worked to free some of the slaves, and persevered in the face of many obstacles. Today, I’m not so sure who I would pick because there are so many who’ve impacted me with their faith, presence, ministry, or thoughtful words. Who would you choose to host at your table and why?

As we enter the season of Lent, a time of fasting, repentance, reflection, and encounters with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, we’ll spend time hearing stories about many whose lives were changed by his presence. Jews, non-Jews, men, women, appointed enemies, and children will find healing, community, knowledge, and acceptance from the one who came to show what love and grace really mean. They will ask questions, dare to reach out, try to trick him, and see what others could only dream of. Some will come to see him at night so no one knows and others will approach him in broad daylight, in the midst of a crowd. Each of them will leave the encounter changed from the experience. When you think of all the people who met Jesus in the Gospels, who stands out? How have you experienced Jesus in your life? What could you do during this Lenten season to meet Jesus in a new way?

One thing that I plan to do during Lent is work through Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with My Pen by Rachel Hackenberg to be more intentional about my private prayer time and take on a new spiritual discipline. This will require me to set something else aside every day so I can reflect on my faith, deepen my relationship with God and fellow believers, and find a new sense of purpose in my ministry. Will you consider joining me and discover what God might be trying to say to you through this opportunity? Would you be willing to meet weekly for an informal discussion about this experience or a different spiritual discipline that God is calling you to take on during this season? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then I look forward to our journey together.

While I feel led to journal, while maintaining my commitments to community service and regular exercise, perhaps God is calling you to step out in faith in a different way. God might be calling you to step out in faith and meet Jesus by supporting a new community organization in an area you believe can change the world. Maybe you’re being called to combine prayer and exercise as you walk around your neighborhood or town. Perhaps God is calling you to write notes, take pictures, perform acts of kindness, or something else to help you deepen your relationship with God and your fellow human beings over the next 40 days or so. Whatever you choose, I am sure God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will meet you there and reveal God’s presence in a new way.

As you consider where you might encounter Jesus during Lent, I invite you to reflect on the places you’ve seen Jesus in the past and see him in the present moment. Come. Look around. Pay attention for Jesus is out there in the people, places, and experiences we often don’t expect. What might God be trying to teach you in the coming days, weeks, and months? How can you make one small change during Lent to seek out Jesus wherever you may go? Who is God inviting you to meet, encourage, or reconcile with? What will you do this season to deepen your faith, let go of something interfering with your relationships, and meet Jesus in your everyday life? During this Lenten season, I invite you to continue this journey of faith together as we meet Jesus and those he encountered, continue our ministries, and go about our daily lives. I look forward to this journey with you in the coming weeks. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Blessings, Aimee

March/ April 2017 Messenger

General Fund Financial Summary Information

January 2017

TOTAL INCOME $9,057

TOTAL EXPENSES $6,650

NET INCOME $2,407

~ ~ ~ RADIO BROADCAST ~ ~ ~Our church service is broadcast on KILJ (105.5) each Sunday. Our monthly cost for broadcasting the service is $220. Contributions from our church family and listeners keep this long time mission project going. Our broadcast reaches not only travelers, but also those who cannot get to church, including some of our own church family members. As our funds are dwindling down, we are reaching out to see if you will consider a donation to the fund.

Donations can be mailed to: Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm St, New London, IA 52645 Please include “Radio Fund” in the memo portion of your check or if Making a contribution in the offering plate, please write “Radio Fund” on the offering

envelope.Thank you for your contributions and continued support.

February 2017

TOTAL INCOME $8,131

TOTAL EXPENSE $9,397

NET INCOME -$1,266

YTD Jan - Feb

TOTAL INCOME $17,188

TOTAL EXPENSES

$15,997

NET INCOME $1,191

2017 PER CAPITA

Have you ever partnered with a friend to sponsor an angel from our Angel Tree at Christmas time or treat someone to lunch on their birthday? When did you last pay dues to an organization that you belong to? Much like our membership dues to organizations, the monies given towards this year’s per capita go to our presbytery, synod, and denomination to maintain our connections with one another, further the ministries of Jesus Christ in our region and around the world, and share the costs that belong to the church. At the national level, this money funds work, such as helping us discern our vocations, participate in national and global ecumenical events, and support General Assembly, our biannual national gathering. In our synod, the allocated money supports the staff and covers committee expenses that impact ministries in our region. Finally, at the presbytery level, per capita helps connect pastors and congregations together for mission and support, provide opportunities for growth, and prepare for presbytery meetings. For 2017 our per capita amount is $36.00 for each member of the congregation. Please prayerfully consider paying this separately from your tithe or offering so we may better serve our local community.

March/ April 2017 Messenger

OUTREACH AND MISSIONS

Please join us for our Palm Sunday Dinner on Sunday, April 9 at 11:30 a.m. following the church service. The menu will include roast pork, party potatoes, green beans, a variety of salads, hot

rolls, sherbet, and a cookie. This is always a wonderful time to have fellowship with friends and a delicious meal! A free will offering will

be taken for Take Away Hunger packaging.

March/ April 2017 Messenger

March/ April 2017 Messenger

Session members …………Reminder: meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of every month @ 7:00 p.m.

Christian Education ~ Youth Activities

Here are some pictures of the 3rd-6th grade youth night we participated in at the YMCA-YWCA in

Burlington recently.

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March/ April 2017 Messenger

Calendar Events

MarchWeds., Mar. 1, 7:00 p.m., Ash Wednesday ServiceSun. Mar. 5, 9:30 a.m., Pancake breakfast

10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship

11:30 a.m., Lenten fellowshipWed., Mar. 8, 7:00 p.m., Session meetingSun. Mar. 12, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school 11:30 a.m., Lenten fellowshipMon., Mar. 13, 11:30 a.m., Women’s FellowshipWeds, Mar. 15, 6:30 p.m., Circle of Love meeting, Friendship HallSun. Mar. 19, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school

11:30 a.m., Lenten fellowship 4:00 p.m., Worship, New London care center

Mon., Mar. 20, 1:30 p.m., Presbyterian WomenSun. Mar. 26, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school

11:30 a.m., Lenten fellowship

AprilSun., April 2, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school

11:30 a.m., Lenten fellowshipSun. April 9, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school

11:30 a.m., Palm Sunday dinnerMon., Apr. 10, 11:30 a.m., Women’s fellowshipWeds, Apr. 12, 7:00 p.m., Session meetingSun. April 16, 7:30 a.m., Easter breakfast

8:30 a.m., Easter worship 4:00 p.m., Chapel, New London

care centerWeds, April 19, 6:30 p.m., Circle of Love meeting, Friendship HallSun. April 23, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday schoolSun., April 30, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school

REMINDER when moving: If you or a family member receives the newsletter by mail, please let us know when you or they move so we can update our records.

PRAYER CHAIN

If you would like to be included or excluded on the Prayer Chain, let Aimee know.

March/ April 2017 Messenger

Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary!

MARCHBIRTHDAYS

2nd Jennifer (Grove) York4th Lucille McCabe6th Bob Lemley7th Betty Grove8th Mallie Campbell9th Colin Smith17th Elsie Miller17th Matthew York17th Addison Summers17th Claire E. Jones19th Teresa Wehrle20th DeeAnn Grove23rd Berdita Hibbs26th Allison (Raub) Lair28th Anthony Lee29th Laurie (Carmon) McBeth29th Lauren Summers30th Jennifer Lee30th Jacob Griffin

MARCHANNIVERSARIES

4th David and Charlotte McGregor4th Bob and Sandy Griffin

APRILANNIVERSARIES

20th Joel and Dusty Prottsman20th Temple and Chris Selby

APRILBIRTHDAYS

3rd Marcus McCabe5th Josie Newell6th Barbara Carmon8th Helen Wehrle11th Leo Garvey12th Mike McBeth17th Ruth Ann Corporon22nd Landon Lair24th Morgan Griffin25th Pam (Piper)

Williamson25th Madison Jo Moore26th Kerri Dickey26th Meridith Dickey30th Venus (Johnson)

Robinson

REMINDER: Ruth Ann Corporon does the courtesy cards for our church. She does a great job of sending out Birthday, Anniversary, Get Well and thinking of you messages proving she knows about it. So if there’s someone you know who needs an uplifting message, please call Ruth Ann (319-367-2740) and let her know.

If you like to read, don’t forget to check out the books we have in our Library.

REMINDER:Bring non-perishable foods for donation to the Felowship Cup, on 4th Sunday of each month.

March/ April 2017 Messenger

NLPC MISSION STATEMENT

Inspired by the powerful, creative force of God's love, our mission is to glorify God in ways both great and

small by growing spiritually, nurturing children, impacting our community,

and using our gifts in service to God.

THE MESSENGER: Published bi-monthly by the New London Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm St, New

London, Iowa 52645, 319-367-2744. The messenger is also posted on the church website and linked to their Facebook page: at: http://newlondonpc.org or at

https://www.facebook.com/ThePresbyterianChurchOfNewLondon.

If you’d like to help reduce paper & mailing cost and receive the newsletter by e-mail, please send a message to revaimee@mediacombb.net

. Paper copies are typically available at the church for two Sundays and those not picked up after printing, will be mailed.

If someone has been removed from or if someone needs to be added to the mailing list, please let Pastor Aimee know.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The New London Presbyterian Church % The Messenger, 400 N. Elm St. New London, Iowa, 52645.

Staff: Pastor: Aimee Goldmeyer

Manse Phone: 319-367-8074Email:

revaimee@mediacombb.netOffice hrs:

Church Secretary: Apryl JohnsonEmail: apryl.ash@gmail.com

Treasurer: Brittony CummingsCustodian: Jamie LoydOrganist & Choir Director: Nella ElliottChurch phone: 319-367-2744Church Address: 400 N. Elm St.

New London, Iowa 52645Church Website: http://newlondonpc.org Church Facebook link;https://www.facebook.com/ThePresbyterianChurchOfNewLondon.

Our leadership team seeks to nurture God’s blessings in our lives in a variety of ways.

Will you please pray about how God may be calling you to serve in our congregation?

If you would like to share your gifts with others or have questions, please contact Pastor Aimee or one of elders listed below.

2016-2017 Session Members(Effective July 1, 2016):

BUILDING & GROUNDS: Rod Smith

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Jane Simmons & Teresa Wehrle

CLERK of SESSION: Teresa Wehrle

FELLOWSHIP: Ron Raub

FINANCE/ MEMORIALS/ STEWARDSHIP:

Lyn McAllister & Dave McGregorMISSION/OUTREACH:

Betty Grove WORSHIP:

Bob Lemley

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Information for the May/ June newsletter is due by April 17, 2017. Thank You!

March/ April 2017 Messenger

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH400 N. ELM

NEW LONDON, IOWA 52645

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NEW LONDON, IOWA400 N. ELMNEW LONDON, IOWA 52645

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

January/ February 2017 Messenger