new october 2019 volume 60 issue 10 inside this issue · 2019. 10. 10. · page 4 volume 60 issue...
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Contact Us 515-967-2991
Pastor John Gaulke
Steve McLellan
Minister of Creative Arts
& Pastoral Care
Matt Osborne
Youth Director
Brandon Lindsey
Children’s Ministry Director
LeAnn Gaulke
Director of Small Groups
& Assimilation
Sue Bennett
Financial Manager
Heather Mahoney
Executive Assistant
Brenda Cort
Administrative Assistant
Dear Friend, If I close my eyes, I can almost taste the homemade dinner rolls and smell the turkey and dressing at the Turkey Mission Dinner. It won’t be long. We won’t have to imagine it much longer– it will be here before we know it. On Saturday, November 9 we will celebrate the best part of us – our generosity to those who need it most. Today, in Haiti, orphans – the poorest of the poor – receive three nutritious meals, every day. Before they arrived at the orphanage I’m sure they were very hungry, but you gave, and now they have a beautiful, state-of-the-art kitchen and dining room. Today, and every day, they have life-sustaining food because you gave. Today, in Peru and Africa, people go to wells and draw fresh, clean water to quench their thirst. They have enough water to irrigate their gardens and protect their orchards if there is a fire. They were thirsty, but you gave them water – you gave them life. In downtown Des Moines, homeless men make their way to Bethel Mission to get a meal, clean up with a care kit, and then sleep on a mattress and bedding that you provided. They are no longer strangers but children of God that matter. The tables, chairs, and serving counter in the dining room are daily reminders that everyone has worth. Those are there because you gave. I am so thankful for all that you have done and given so that our Turkey Mission Dinner could touch the world with God’s hope, light, and love. We have made a difference in so many lives – Glory to God. I am reminded of the famous passage of Scripture in Matthew chapter 25. As you read it, I have replaced the word “You,” with a blank line. I want you to read it and write your name on the line. This is your passage – it’s our passage and it’s a constant reminder of why we hold the Turkey Mission Dinner: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, _____________ who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:34–36, NLT) We have some very exciting announcements to make about the proceeds of this year’s Turkey Mission Dinner, so stay tuned. It’s going to be the best dinner ever! I am in awe of what God is going to do this year, through us, to touch the world. Excited to touch the world with you, Pastor John
October 2019
Volume 60 Issue 10
Small Groups 2
Missions Update 3
Student Ministries 5
Children’s Ministry 6
Music 7
Announcements 9
Top Notchers 10
Online Giving 11
AUMC App 12
Inside This Issue
Volume 60 Issue 10 Page 2
Volume 60 Issue 10 Page 3
Turkey Mission Dinner 2018 Update On Saturday, October 12, with funds raised at the Turkey Mission Dinner 2018, we will package meals for the hungry and hurting in our Family Life Center. It is not too late to sign up for a one-hour shift (starting at 8:00-11:00 a.m.) to help accomplish the 50,000-meal goal! You can sign up in the entryway on Sunday morning or contact Heather Mahoney at [email protected]. Let’s work together to feed the hungry!
Turkey Mission Dinner 2019 Update
We’re excited to announce how the money raised at this year’s Turkey Mission Dinner will help those in need both locally as well as across the globe!
Globally, we will continue to work with missionary Malcolm Taylor and YWAM Series 23 in the Dominican Republic. This year Malcolm has introduced us to a partnership with Pastor Wilson and a church in a rural community 30 minutes outside of San Pedro (Laguna Mallen) to purchase land and build a church structure with finishes such as doors, flooring, windows, etc. Our February 2020 mission team to the Dominican Republic will help with the construction work on this church. Come Sunday, November 3rd to one of the morning services to see a video of the community.
Locally, Turkey Mission Dinner 2019 funds will help Hope Ministries by providing cafeteria seating and lockable food carts for food storage at Door of Faith, as well as commercial food processors and rolling carts for each of the three Hope Ministries shelter locations. We are honored to partner with Hope Ministries as they continue to work to offer safe shelter, nutritious meals, free clothing and more to the hurting in central Iowa.
In addition to these two areas of focus, money from the Turkey Mission Dinner 2019 will help support missionaries to the Middle East, Mike & Cindy Williams and Cody & Vanessa Nelson, missionary to Uganda, Rose Kirby, and Caring Hands Food Pantry. We will again, as a congregation, package 50,000 meals through Meals from the Heartland and build the walls for a home through Habitat for Humanity. Thank you so much for your generous giving. See you Saturday, November 9 for the meal that keeps on giving!
Pastor Wilson with members of his church at the proposed lot for the new church
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This year’s Turkey Mission Dinner is on Saturday, November 9, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars now to be a part of this year’s miracle! Sign-ups begin October 13th
and tickets will be distributed beginning October 20th. Please join us in praying that this year’s meal will once again be a blessing that will change lives. WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Help set up...make a donation of food/supplies...roast a turkey...work in the kitchen serving or cleaning up. Sign-ups begin October 13th
Do you like to bake? Roll making days are October 25th and 26th. You and other volunteers will produce over 1,000 butter horn rolls that will be devoured during the dinner. Sign-ups for roll making supplies and workers will be available October 6th and 13th in the entryway.
Please contact Tori Hanson at 321-2919 if you have any questions. There will be a bake sale during the Turkey Mission Dinner. Proceeds will go to
Turkey Mission Dinner projects. We need baked goods donated for this sale. Make your favorite cookies, cake, candy, bread, etc. to sell. Please package and pre-price your items and bring them to the Narthex by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9th.
Could you make a themed gift basket or make something to donate to the Silent Auction with all proceeds going to our Turkey Mission Dinner projects? All items need to be brought to the church by noon on Sunday, November 3rd.
For more information, please contact Jessica Reutzel at [email protected]
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Well, the new school year has finally kicked off, which means that we are finally back to more normal routine in “Ignite”!
I am super excited and encouraged about all of the great things that God has been doing in our group early on in the school year. We just recently started a new series on Wednesday evenings entitled, “The Fear of the Lord”. While that is a topic that you don’t hear commonly in messages, it has been so amazing to discover what it looks like for us to have a healthy fear of the Lord that actually helps to drive us towards Him!
We also have continued with our efforts to try to make our weekly gatherings as Biblical as possible. As we have continued to examine Scripture to see what God intends His church to look like, we have seen a number of changes or additions that we have needed to make in our services. One example of such a change would be our current focus on the public reading of Scripture, which allows all of our students to be exposed in even greater depth to the Word of God.
At the same time that we have been getting back into our more normal routine on Wednesday nights, we have also started up our most recent Confirmation Class with our students in seventh and eighth grade. This first section of Confirmation Class centers entirely around the gospel, which is obviously pivotal in our faith walk. I have been incredibly pleased to see how the students have responded to the teachings, demonstrating a clear understanding of what it means to have genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
As you remember us in prayer, please ask the Lord to give us wisdom so that we can know how to best serve Him and bring Him glory as we seek to know Him more intimately. Thank you for your continued support of our ministry!
Matt Osborne, Youth Director
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Our kids watch our every move. As they get older, it may not seem like they’re paying attention; but they are! They see the good we do, and when we’re not at our best. One of the most valuable things we can teach our kids is to help others. Giving our time and resources, especially to those less fortunate, will help mold a child with a heart for others. As fall overtakes summer and the leaves start to change, our Turkey Mission Dinner is right around the corner. This event changes hearts and lives each year as we give 100% of the proceeds to others locally, nationally and across the globe. There are a number of positions to help at this year’s event. Keep an eye out for more information!
Brandon Lindsey, Children’s Ministry Director
Midweek Movie Night
October 9th
6:00 -7:45pm Free to all grades,
Prek-6th
SNACKS -- HOT DOGS -- DRINKS
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The apostle Paul wrote more books in the New Testament than any other writer. His writings in the Holy Bible may be the most influential and significant contributions on how to live the Christian life. With everything he wrote there was one thread that seems to appear in all his letters. It is his thankfulness. Thankful to God and thankful to those who served alongside him. In his most difficult times there were people that were remembered because they were faithful with him in his passion for ministry. As I mentioned in speaking to our congregation, God gave us wonderful people to share in the ministry of worship and pastoral care. Like Paul, I thank God for the incredible people with whom I have served. This past Sunday was a beautiful expression of the power of music in worship. Martin Luther wrote, “He who sings prays twice.” You feel it in your heart and you know it in your spirit. I felt that this past Sunday and have felt that same power many times other over the years. Thank you for giving of yourself so that God’s blessing could be loosed in ways none of us could have accomplished on our own. Music has been the most visible ministry I have been associated with, but it was also my privilege to share in the ministry with Pastoral Care and the 55+ TopNotcher group. Thank you for sharing your ministry to God and his church! Char and I want to say thanks to so many of you for your cards and expressions of appreciation. They have been a real encouragement and will always be warmly remembered. Praying God’s richest blessings for you all, Steven McLellan
Music Notes
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United Methodist Men’s Breakfast
October 19th
at 8:00 a.m. at Perkins
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United Methodist Women
UMW—NO MEETING OCTOBER 3rd Abigail Circle: October 15th at 7:00 p.m. meeting at Cheryl Ebert’s home Martha Circle: October 17th at 9:30 a.m. meeting at Perkins Oct 4: Iowa Conference UMW Ubuntu Day—Work for local missions: Food Bank of Iowa warehouse, Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hilll or stay at Staves UMC and make crafts for those in need. Oct 5: Iowa Conference UMW Annual Meeting, Staves UMC, Des Moines.
Speaker: Rev Dionne P. Boissiere. She is first women of African descent to hold the significant position of chaplain of the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. The center is owned and operated by United Methodist Women. It is the home to over 50 denominational offices, religious and secular non-governmental organizations that are commissioned to liaison with UN officials and governmental delegates.
FOR TURKEY MISSION DINNER
Do you like to bake? Roll making days are
October 25th & 26th. You and other volunteers will
produce over 1,000 butter horn rolls that will be devoured during
the Turkey Mission Dinner. Sign-ups for roll making
supplies and workers will be
available October 6 th.
Volume 60 Issue 10 Page 10
Sunday, October 6, 3:00 p.m. Program: Interdenominational Hymn Sing
with other Altoona Churches In the Sanctuary Refreshments provided Tuesday, October 8, Noon Program: Reverened Jim Erickson, Missionary to Africa
and Ryan Hubbert with information on Medicare Potluck—Italian (Sign up at the Welcome Center
to bring Italian entrée, side dish, or dessert.) Host/Hostess: Mary Wood Bring donation for the food pantry Tuesday, November 12, Bus Trip Where: Gladbrook, Iowa to tour Matchstick Marvels, lunch at Spanky's Restaurant and a tour of historic Grinnell. Leave the church north parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Return to church around 4:45 p.m. Cost is $60 per person. Minimum of 36 passengers required. Amount due by Sunday, October 13th. Checks made out to Altoona UMC. Sign up and pay at the Welcome Center! More details available at the Welcome Center.
Upcoming Get Together
Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+
Regular office hours are:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Noon
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Altoona United Methodist Church has two electronic options for giving. You can register to give regularly or make a one-time gift by going to our church website, www.altoonaumc.org. Click on the Give tab.
Once you have clicked on the Give Online button, choose Sign In on the top right of the E-Giving Login page. You can then enter your email address and password (if you have already set up an account) or click on Register for an
Account. You can choose whether to log in with your phone number or your email address. Enter your information, and hit Register. Your donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. You have the option of making a one-time gift or a recurring donation on a schedule that you set up. Once you have registered, you have the ability to adjust your giving as desired by logging in with your Email address (or cell phone number) and Password. Another option for electronic giving is through our new church app. In the Worship menu, choose Give Online and then follow the instructions above. If you have any questions about this secure electronic giving option, please contact Heather Mahoney at 967-2991 or [email protected]. She is happy to meet with you to help you set up your account or answer any of your questions.
Page 12 Volume 60 Issue 10
If you would like to receive weekly updates via email, please go to the church website,
www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Connect tab, choose E-Mail Signup, enter your email
address, choose the email(s) you would like to receive, and they will begin arriving on a
weekly basis!
If you would like to be included on our email prayer chain list, please go to the church
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enter your email address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.
Available for iOS and Android.