NewsletterSigourney United Methodist Church

Richard Pippert, Pastor

CHURCH OFFICE 210 E. Spring Street Sigourney, IA 52591 Phone: 641-622-2641 e-mail: sigumc@windstream.net

PASTOR'S RESIDENCE 405 E. Spring Street Sigourney, IA 52591 Phone: 641-622-2229 e-mail: richsigumc@windstream.net cell phone: 319-530-7071 October 2015

From Pastor Rich…

Planted by Streams of Water On September 20 I preached a sermon on Psalm 1. I centered

my thoughts on verse 3 of the

passage which reads: “The

truly happy person is like a tree

replanted by streams of water,

which bears fruit at just the

right time and whose leaves

don’t fade. Whatever they do

succeeds.” (Psalm 1:3, CEB)

I used an amazing illustration from the Homiletics 2015 issue, which shows how we as

a church need each other to grow and become

the church that God wants us to be: “The

giant sequoia tree can measure hundreds of feet

in height, ten or more feet in girth and thousands

of years in age, yet sequoias have very a shallow

root system. The way they withstand the winds

and stress of so many years is they intertwine

their roots with others, thus drawing their

strength from each other.” (Wiley Stephens, Day1.net,

May 14, 2006.)

As a church, we need each other and the gifts

that each of us offers. Growing and working together, our church can grow.

One of the ways that I believe our church is

going to become the church that God wants us to be is through the Healthy Church Initiative

(HCI) process. A brochure for the Iowa Annual Conference, which explains what the

HCI process is all about, states: “The HCI is

an intentional leadership development process

designed to enhance the skills of pastors and laity

to lead growing, vibrant Spirit-filled churches.

Through prayerful action and reflection

together, participants become equipped to

transform their congregations to reach new

people for Jesus Christ and become the churches

that God wants them to be in their

communities.” The first phase, entitled

Continuous Learning, is explained this way:

“The HCI process offers leadership development

and a form of continuous learning to support

and encourage one another…As of 2015 over 170

churches have been involved in some aspect of

the HCI process…The HCI focuses on several

skills such as:

Communication that encourages an active

and open exchange of ideas---and listens

actively to all perspectives.

Outreach that focuses attention and

resources beyond the church and

understands the needs of the community.

Evangelism that reaches out to others…in a

positive way.”

The SPRC committee and the Church Council have voted for our church to committed to at

least the first phase of HCI program. continued on page 2

In This Issue October Events ...................................................................... 2 Shoebox Kickoff .................................................................... 3 Women’s News ...................................................................... 4 Ingathering Deadline & Other Mission News ...................... 5 Coming in November – C Sunday ........................................ 6 Friendship Company Kickoff ............................................... 7 Friendship Registration Form .............................................. 8 Pics & News About a GREAT Youth Rally ..................... 9-10 Personal Expressions .................................................... 11-12

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Upcoming

In October Please make note of these

events scheduled for Octobeer and after. Ladies,

please see also the Women’s Page for other items of

interest to women.

OCTOBER Sunday, October 4:

World Communion Sunday. Special offering to be received.

Wednesday, October 14:

Trustees meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 18:

Disability Awareness Sunday special offering.

Wednesday, October 21:

Church Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. to prepare Charge Conference material.

Sunday, October 25:

Combined Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

November Friday & Saturday, November 6-7: Private rehearsal and wedding at the church.

Sunday, November 8:

Consecration Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. followed by catered celebration luncheon in the church dining room.

Sunday, November 15:

Charge Conference at 6:00 p.m. in the church dining room.

Planted by Streams of Water continued from page 1

Our HCI process will be led by Jay Johnson, Field Outreach Minister for the South Central District.

The church participating in addition to Sigourney UMC are Willard Street, Ottumwa and Bloomfield. Our first meeting will be on Sunday,

October 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If anyone is interested in helping our church to

grow and to be involved, please contact Pastor Rich.

Let us remember Paul’s words in I Thessaloni-ans, instructing us to “Pray continually” (I

Thessalonians 5:17, CEB) as I close with Bishop

Trimble’s words: “Be Encouraged!” Pastor Rich

World Communion Sunday Sunday, October 4 is

World Communion Sunday. A special

offering will be received to fund graduate racial

ethnic World Communion Scholarships, with at

least one-half of the annual amount reserved

for ministries beyond the U.S. Your gifts also provide for undergrad U.S. Ethnic Scholarship and In-Service

Training programs.

Combined Worship Sunday, October 25 at 9:30 a.m. will be our

final combined worship service of the year. Pastor

Rich will be gone, following Nathan’s wedding, so Crystal

Hornback will preach in his place. There will be no

Sunday School classes that morning.

Disability Awareness Sunday

Sunday, October 18 is Disability Awareness

Sunday, which celebrates the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the church

and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities. A special offering will be received.

Financial Report 9-25-15

At the end of September we will be 75% of the way through the year and will have spent

66% of our 2015 budget. With one Sunday offering yet to be received in September,

budget income received to date is $134,580.45 or 65% of income anticipated

for the year and 88% of income anticipated

through September 30.

Attendance/Giving for September

S. School Worship Budget Income August 30 34 97 $2666.25 September 6 26 82 $4584.83 September 13 --- 85 $3276.38 September 20 30 94 $2289.01 September 27 --- --- $-----------

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Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry Begins October 11

It’s that time again! Friendship Company kids and their helpers will be busy the entire month of October gathering toys, candy, and toiletries, and filling wrapped shoeboxes for Christmas gifts. Millions of these boxes will be shipped all over the world by Samaritan’s Purse for “Operation Christmas Child.”

In 2014 Sigourney UMC mailed another all-time record number of 180 shoeboxes for world-wide distribution by Operation Christmas Child. Since 1993, more than 94 million boys and girls from over 130 countries have been the joyful recipients of shoebox gifts!

You can help by picking up a wrapped box or two from the south entry way beginning Sunday, October 11. Then please fill them with toys and other supplies and return them to the church the first part of November. (Deadline for returning: Nov. 8) Your help will make such a difference in the lives of the children who receive your boxes. Thank you in advance for your help in this very important mission!

John 3:16 provides the inspiration behind Operation Christmas Child, the unique worldwide outreach of Samaritan's Purse. Each year, we share God's love with millions of poor, sick, and suffering children by hand-delivering shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, candy, and other gifts. These Christmas presents not only bring great joy to precious girls and boys, they also open hearts to hear about God's greatest gift--His Son, Jesus Christ…

Franklin Graham, President Samaritan’s Purse

There are many ways in which you can support “Operation Christmas Child” locally. If you prefer not to pack individual boxes, you can choose from these additional options:

Provide multiples of individual items on the list (such as a dozen toothbrushes, combs, crayons, yo-yos, etc.)

Provide cash for the purchase of items that are needed to fill boxes

Donate toward the cost of postage ($7.00 per shoebox)

Furnish Christmas wrapping paper

Donate your time during Friendship Company in October to help the children fill shoeboxes

We are truly thankful for your prayers and support, providing joy to children who have far less than we can imagine!

Martha Richardson, Merla Morse & Cyrena Buschmann

Suggested Gift Items for Shoebox:

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch a Sketch toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc.

Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries), ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc.

Do NOT include the following:

Used items War-related items: toy guns, knives, etc. Chocolate or perishable food items Liquids: shampoo, liquid soap, lotion, bubbles Medicines: vitamins, cough drops, ointment Breakable items: mirrors, china dolls, snow

globes, etc.

To obtain a shoebox & specific instructions on how to pack it, please see the display in the south entry of the church. To make a donation towards a shoebox, please contact Martha, Merla, Cyrena or the church office.

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Women’s News

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:1-5 (October Scripture from UMW Bible Verses for 2015)

GENERAL MEETING

Our October UMW General Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 8 at 1:00 p.m.

in the church dining room. The program will be presented by Margaret Hollingsworth.

Shirley Steinhart will be the hostess.

IOWA CONFERENCE

UMW ANNUAL MEETING Council Bluffs will be the location of the Iowa Conference UMW Annual Meeting. It will

take place on Saturday, October 10.

UMW Mission U The fall UMW Mission U will be held

October 16-18 at the Continuing Education Center in Marshalltown.

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT MISSION DAY

Saturday, October 31 is the date of the Southeast District Mission Day meeting to

be held at Wilton UMC. Times TBA. Please contact Hazel Wheeldon to arrange

carpooling.

TAKE THAT!!

Detailed imagery was important to pastor Clarence Macartney (1879-1957), whose sermons elaborated on settings and characters. For someone who painted word pictures, a visit to Martin Luther’s home left a lasting impression:

“I saw the chamber of Luther, with the bed in which he slept, his wash basin, and his desk – a notable desk, too, for on that desk Luther translated the New Testament into German. On one of the walls of the room there is a place bare of plaster. It is the spot where Luther hurled his inkstand at the devil, whose fearful apparition he had seen.

“This may be but legend. But there is no doubting the fact that by his translation of the New Testament into the language of the people, Luther did hurl an inkstand of considerable weight at the devil and all his works.”

©2015 Newsletter Newsletter.

Reprinted by permission.

Page 5

Missions

Updates by Bev Bucklin

INGATHERING DEADLINE IS APPROACHING

The leaves are turning many beautiful colors and beginning to fall to the ground, so that means our Thanksgiving Ingathering event is just around the corner! Many of you have completed and turned in your kits and shipping fees. If you haven’t yet but would like to, there’s still time. Let’s keep them coming, and hopefully we’ll reach our goal of 200 kits! Remember, we are doing health, birthing, and layette kits in addition to the school kits. It would be great if all of the kits were turned in by October 25!! That would give me time to check, box them up, and fill out the reports before taking them to the Ingathering in Mt. Pleasant (the first Saturday in November).

Completed kits and supplies may be dropped off at the church office or placed in the box under the display at the back of the sanctuary. Please remember to include the $2 shipping fee.

The Thanksgiving Ingathering is a way for Iowa United Methodists to help in addressing problems

around the world. 1 John 3 reads, “How does

God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s

goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet

refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in

word or speech, but in truth and action.” Bev Bucklin

Thank You We would like to thank everyone who has been working so diligently on kits for Ingathering. We express special appreciation to Don & Dortha for their generous cash donation for school kit items and postage, in lieu of filling the kits themselves this year. Remember, it takes everyone. We ARE better together.

Friends,

This e-mail is written with much frustration and sadness related to the Mefors coming to Iowa in October and early November. They were denied a visa by the U.S. Embassy thus their inability to come to the U.S. now. They knew their U.S. visa was expiring but after having been granted one on 4 separate occasions they felt the next visa would be granted. They are working with the Board of Global Ministries' legal department to see about reapplying next year.

So for now, we will ask that you cancel your planned speaking event for them. I want to thank all of you for your cooperation in this scheduling process and appreciate your willingness to prepare for and plan your event for the Mefors.

No one is more frustrated than I but I am so grateful for your help. Let's pray that when they reapply in 2016 that a visa will be granted. We trust God in all of this.

While in the U.S. the Mefors were going to visit their three children and spend the holidays with their family. If you would like to send them an e-mail their address is:

emmanuelflorence@uuplus.com.

Thanks again. Beverly Nolte

Please make plans to join us for Consecration

Sunday on November 8.

Our guest speaker this year will be

Ken Royar.

Page 6

Coming in November – Consecration Sunday

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation’s finance committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.

New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday, November 8. We also urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest speaker, Ken Royar, will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, concluded

by members making their commitments as a con-fidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration

Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team

and members of the Church Council. Since we will make

no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their

cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events on Sunday, November 8.

Wayne Frank Church Council Chair \

F.Y.I.: Estimates of giving made on Consecration Sunday are for the church budget. Gifts to be given to the Roof Fund are not to be included in these estimates.

Friendship Company

starts October 7th

and you are invited!

Extra! Extra!

Read all about it!

Hey kids! It’s time for another great year at Friendship Company. All kindergarten through sixth graders are invited to join us for songs, games, crafts, snacks, and teaching. We will continue to learn how much Jesus loves each of us; we will explore the creation story, finding out some very interesting information about many of the things God has created for our survival and enjoyment; and we will conclude the year with some specific information about the Bible – what it is, the difference between the Old and New Testaments, and how to locate verses in it. So, if you are … looking for some fun and want to make new friends, we hope you will join us at Sigourney United Methodist Church after school on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our first meeting day will be Wednesday, October 7. We will meet the K-6 children at the elementary school flagpole at 3:30 p.m. and walk with them to the church. All children should be picked up from the church by their parents at 5:00 p.m.

What is Friendship Company? Friendship Company is an after-school faith-based program for

K-6 grade. It takes place at Sigourney United Methodist

Church on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from

October through March. Our first meeting will be Wednesday,

October 7. Registration slips will be sent home with the kids

next week. Friendship Company provides kids with the

opportunity to learn about God, interact with caring, Christian

adults, and hopefully make some great friends in the process.

Children will enjoy crafts, recreation, music, snacks and Bible

stories. The third week of each month we will visit Sigourney

Care Center and work on activities with the residents. Every-

one involved in these visits has a wonderful experience, and the

children brighten the residents’ days!

FRIENDSHIP COMPANY MEETING MONTHS:

October - November - December January - February - March

No Friendship Company on early dismissal days or when school is cancelled because of weather problems or school vacations.

As in previous years, we will be filling

shoeboxes for the Samaritan's Purse

Operation Christmas Child project.

2015-2016 Friendship Company Director is Kay Witte.

Questions? Please contact Kay at 641-622-2550

or the church office at 641-622-2641.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Friendship Company United begins on October 7, 2015.

For more info, please contact Sigourney UMC office (622-2641) or Kay Witte (622-2550)

Friendship Company United Sigourney United Methodist Church

210 East Spring, Sigourney IA

Registration Form

Child’s Name:

Date of Birth: Grade:

Allergies or Other Concerns:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Address:

Phone Number: Work of Cell Number:

Would you like more information about the church?

Emergency Contact: Phone:

Who do you authorize to pick up this child?

By signing and returning this form, you are also giving your permission for your child(ren) to go with their groups

on limited field trips. You will be notified in advance about these trips. We insist on everyone wearing seat belts

when traveling in a car.

I will provide a snack at least once during the semester.

I can help drive if the group takes a field trip.

I would like to volunteer for Friendship Company occasionally

As a church organization we would like to use photos of Friendship Company for advertising and publicity purposes.

I grant Friendship Company the right to take photos of my child(ren) and to use such photographs for

advertising and publicity purposes. I understand that these photos may appear in publicity about Sigourney United

Methodist Church and may include but is not limited to use on the church website and newsletter.

I do not wish for my children to have their picture taken or for Friendship Company to use their photos for

advertising and publicity purposes.

Parent or guardian signature

Please return this form with your child to Friendship Company at

Sigourney United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 7.

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Hungry for Christ UMYF Youth Group NEWS

by Jaci Jarmes

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)

Our fifth annual Youth Rally took place on September 13 with over 90 youth and adults in attendance. We were blessed to have Pastor John and Judy Hembry bring a message of hope,

reminding the youth that they are never too young to make a difference. They were encouraged to continue their faith journey, live their lives for Christ and share the Gospel with all.

Abbey Danowsky led a time of praise and worship and Zach Mousel and Stacy Mohr shared testimony with the group. The group was then treated to a pizza party, donated by Pizza Ranch, on the church lawn and a concert by Piercing the Darkness.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the rally. We are excited to start a new year of youth group and were happy to see many new faces, as well as many familiar faces that want to be a part of our group. We would also like to thank the adults that came to show their support for the youth in our community. Many people worked behind the scenes to make this event possible.

Thank you to Jim Eversmeyer for setting up the stage, to Gary Jarmes and Bev Bucklin for working the sound and projection systems, to Pam Schwenke for working tirelessly for our group, to

Continued next page

Page 10

Youth Rally continued from page X

Sandy Nieuwsma for her support and taking care of all of the details, to Pizza Ranch and the Mohr

family for once again donating the pizza, to Pam Schwenke, Denise Mohr and Beth Danowsky for serving and cleaning up, and most importantly, to our Heavenly Father for making this night possible.

Jaci Jarmes and Kelly Mousel Youth Group Leaders

Through December, 2015

Wednesday, October 7: Small Groups

Sunday, October 11 Large Group Noon to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21: Small Groups

Sunday, October 25 No large group as Kelly and Jaci will be at

Brianna's wedding that weekend Wednesday, November 4:

Small Groups Sunday, November 8:

Youth Group will help serve/drinks for Consecration Sunday

Saturday/Sunday, November 14-15: Homeless Project sleep out & supper

Wednesday, November 18: Small Groups

Sunday, November 22: Large Group Noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 2:

Small Groups Sunday, December 6:

Large Group Noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 16:

Small Groups Sunday, December 20:

Large Group Noon to 2 p.m.

11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for

you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Page 11

Congratulations to Kirk and Karla Beasley,

who celebrated their 30th

wedding anniversary on

September 28. Kirk Beasley and Karla Davis were

married at Sigourney United Methodist Church

on Saturday, September 28, 1985.

It’s THREE

Great Grandchildren

Congratulations to Phyllis Clingan

on the birth of twin great-granddaughters,

Avery Nicole Woods

& Addison Eve Woods born August 20 to Jeremiah & Kristen Woods

and the birth of a great-grandson,

Korben Everette Hammes born September 7 to Melissa Woods & Ben Hammes

Grandparents of these three:

Cheryl Clingan and Brad Woods.

Add’l Great Grandparents: Ed & Shirley Woods

Congratulations to Brady and Ginger Brown,

who celebrated their 25th

wedding anniversary on

September 29. Brady Brown and Ginger Beasley were

married at Sigourney United Methodist Church

on Saturday, September 29, 1990.

Thank you, ladies, for your

help and donations of food

for the meal we served to the

Antique Car Club members

on Wednesday, September 2.

It went very well.

Phyllis & Madonna

PRAYERS REQUESTED

Prayers are requested for Dortha Borts, who entered Manor House Nursing Home on Monday, September 14. Dortha would also like to have visitors. (She has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.)

Thank you, ladies, for everything you did to make the United Methodist Women’s Annual Meeting here so successful. The district president sends her thanks and comments that everything went very smoothly.

Hazel Wheeldon

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The Trustees offer a sincere thank you to all who

assisted with a recent church improvement project.

The project, completed on Monday, September 21,

included the installation of new carpet on the south

and west outside steps to the sanctuary, in the music

(pass through) room and flower room at the front of

the sanctuary, and in the cry room at the back of the

sanctuary. Much of this carpet replacement was

necessary for safety purposes – to remove tripping

hazards caused by torn or stretched carpet.

When the Trustees announced plans for the carpet

replacement in the music and flower rooms, the music

department decided that it would be nice if those

rooms were cleaned and painted before the carpet went

in; they volunteered to do the work. The cry room had

previously been painted by a volunteer crew headed by

Crystal Hornback.

The Trustees wish to thank those who generously

volunteered their time for these tasks. The cleaning

and trash disposal was completed by Sue Mohr, Jan

Wallerich, John Moore and Gary Wallerich; the

painting was performed by Beth Terfehn, Linda Lane

and Don Lane; moving of filing cabinets and furniture

was completed by Phil Buschmann, Terry Steinhart,

Merle Lane and Gary Wallerich. Repair of plaster and

painting of the ceilings was contracted to Matt

Clayton.

The Trustees would like to thank the Wallerich, Luers

and Bucklin families for funding this work.

ANOTHER BASEMENT LADIES PRODUCTION

Sunday, November 8: The Church Basement Ladies production of “The Last (Potluck) Supper” will be presented at The Old Creamery Theatre at 2:00 p.m. The ladies will leave from the church at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $26. Please contact Debbie Hinnah at 641-224-2279 prior to October 23 to make your reservation. (Please note: November 8 is also Consecration Sunday and the Celebration Luncheon. Perhaps we can let the ladies going to the play eat at the front of the line, so they can leave at 12:30.)

Are you missing any hiking boots?

We have one pair left over from VBS.

Please claim them in the church

office.

Items with a History During the cleaning out of the music room recently,

organist and church historian John Moore came across

several items of historical interest. They include a

Methodist Episcopal Book of Discipline from 1868; a

program for the 1904 Iowa Annual Conference meeting,

which was held in our church; an ashtray with a picture

of our current church building and a picture of Thomas

Bayles Hughes, pastor here from 1903-1905; and a

paper weight with a picture of an earlier church building

and a picture of Arthur Bates Hightshoe, pastor here

from 1898-1901. All of these things are on display in

the memorial case in the north sanctuary entry. You

might find it interesting to take a look at them.

Ending with a Smile…