FEBRUARY 2017

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

SUNDAY SERMONS

February 5th Communion Sunday “You are the Salt of the Earth” Psalm 112:1-7 Matthew 5:13-16 February 12th Guest Leader Jamie Cook February 19th Guest Leader Guy Mitchell February 26th Guest Leader Diana Sash March 5th Communion Sunday “Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone” Psalm 32:1-7 Matthew 4:1-11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 2

PRAYER REQUESTS &

CELEBRATIONS 3

CHILDREN’S PAGE 4

CHURCH COUNCIL

SUMMARY &

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

5

PASTOR’S PAGE 6

INFO & EVENTS 7-8

CALENDAR 9

Geneseo Voice Lenten Worship Schedule 2017

We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday prayer service on March 1st at 7:00pm. During Lent, you are invited to join our community in worship and fellowship every Wednesday as we join with Dysart United Methodist Church and Zion Lutheran Church of Dysart in a weekly Lenten Ecumenical Midweek worship.

Wednesday, March 1st - 7:00pm - Ash Wednesday Service @ Geneseo

Lenten Ecumenical Worship Schedule 2017 The Midweek services during Lent will follow a meditation book by John Indermark: “Worship in Light of the Cross.” Many of the world’s great cathedrals are built in the shape of a cross. When people enter to worship, they literally enter into the cross. Whenever we gather as a community of faith, we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection and learn how to follow Jesus, even on the road to the cross. In this 6 week study for Lent, John Indermark invites us to worship through the cross, allowing worship elements to guide us through our Lenten study.

Each of the following Wednesdays will begin with a soup supper at 6:00pm followed by a reflective service of worship at 7:00pm.

Wednesday, March 8th - Lenten Community Supper & Worship

At Zion Lutheran, Dysart. Pastor Linda Butler preaching.

Wednesday, March 15th - Lenten Community Supper & Worship

At Dysart UMC, Dysart. Pastor Harry Wach preaching.

Wednesday, March 22nd - Lenten Community Supper & Worship

At Geneseo UMC, Buckingham. Pastor Jim Radatz preaching.

Wednesday, March 29th - Lenten Community Supper & Worship

At Zion Lutheran, Dysart. Pastor Harry Wach preaching.

Wednesday, April 5th - Lenten Community Supper & Worship

At Dysart UMC, Dysart. Pastor Jim Radatz preaching.

GENESEO VOICE PAGE 2 FEBRUARY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

Sign-Up Sheets for Acolytes, Ushers, Greeters, Coffee Fellowship, Altar Flowers, Readers, Technicians, & Song Leaders are available in Fellowship Hall. If you can help out for a week or more or if you would like to sign up for an empty slot, please contact the church office, 319-478-8788

February Altar Flowers - Jacque Moffitt Coffee Servers: (February 1st) - (chair), Kalyn Putz, & Heather Chingren Communion Assistants:

Acolytes: 5 - Nora Mitchell 12 - 19 - 26 - Ushers: (ALL MONTH) - John & Jacque Moffitt Greeters: 5 - Guy & Kate Mitchell Family 12 - Mike & Heather Chingren 19 - Paul & Donna Lindeman 26 - Paul & Donna Lindeman Worship Readers 5 - Pastor Harry 12 - 19 - 26 -

Instrumental Leaders: 5 - Anne Cook 12 - Anne Cook 19 - Anne Cook 26 - Anne Cook Song Leaders: 5 - Jamie Cook 12 - 19 - Paul Lindeman 26 - Technicians: 5 - Mike Chingren 12 - Mike Chingren 19 - David Sash 26 - Mike Chingren

2017 Worship Assistants

STILL NEEDED!!!

PLEASE check the sign-up sheets in

fellowship hall, there are still many

available spots!

If you’ve never been a worship assistant, but wish to learn, please talk with Pastor Harry, and he will gladly assist in training you! We cannot have successful worship services without your participation!

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH ASSISTANT:

Ushers (anyone): Ushers do a little before, during, and after worship. Help prep candles and offering plates, hand out bulletins, assist people to seats, assist acolytes, receive offering, take attendance count, assist with counting offering, check windows closed/lights off before leaving.

Greeters (anyone): Greeters also do a little before and after worship. Greet everyone, welcome new visitors, make everyone feel welcome. After worship thank visitors & congregation for coming, introduce visitors to pastor & other church members.

Acolytes (any youth): Acolytes will also do a little before, during, and after worship. Prep candle lighters with ushers or pastor, light altar candles during prelude, during sending song extinguish altar candles & exit with pastor.

Altar Flowers (anyone): Typically a one-month commitment, brought in and placed before the first Sunday worship of the month, to provide an eye appealing arrangement for the altar. This one arrangement can be greenery, plants, or flowers—live or artificial. If providing live arrangements, they may not make it the whole month, so you may have to provide another arrangement later in the month.

Coffee Fellowship (anyone): Typically just the first Sunday of each month. Prep refreshments & goodies before worship, serve during coffee fellowship time, & clean up after coffee fellowship.

Geneseo UMC is also looking for new volunteers to be Readers, Song Leaders, & Tech Desk Assistants. If you have never volunteered for any of these spots, and want to learn, please talk with Pastor Harry.

Reader (anyone): Lead the beginning of worship, and read two scriptures.

Song Leader (anyone): Lead everyone in the worship songs for the day.

Tech Desk (anyone): Sit at the Tech Desk in the back of the sanctuary, and advance worship slides along with the progression of worship.

If you have any other questions about signing up to help with worship, please contact Ashley, our church secretary at 319-478-8788.

PAGE 3 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

FEBRUARY CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS

1 - Ashley Bruene 1 - Chris Hill 3 - Matt Coverdale 4 - Duane Christian 5 - Heather Chingren

10 - Ed Baldwin 13 - Tyler Reding 16 - Donna Lindeman 17 - Belle Weber 19 - Jeanne Holub 26 - Kelsey Mumm 28 - Pat Hill

ANNIVERSARIES 2 - Paul & Cindy Wendt 8 - Orville & Jean Beenken 19 - Ashley & Douglas Bruene

PRAYER REQUESTS

Continued Prayer Support

Sandy Boomer, living in Sunrise Assisted Living

Bob & Linda Cline, as Bob’s Parkinson’s Disease continues to progress.

Herald & Elsie Mitchell, for good health and good rest

Phillip Mitchell, living in Sunrise Care

Jason & Megan Gienger & their 7-month old baby Jackson, of Gladbrook, who lost their home & everything in it due to a fire on 12/26. Jason & Megan are good friends of Ashley (our church secretary). They do have a temporary place to live for now, but Ashley is collecting any gift cards or cash for her friends if anyone feels compelled to help this young family with immediate basic needs. (rec’d 12/27)

Prayer Map Area

Loved Ones Lost

Family & Friends of Austin Brandt, Joe Brandt’s brother, upon his death (rec’d 12/4)

Living With Cancer

Norma Owens, continuing chemotherapy once every six weeks as precaution

Joe Brandt’s sister-in-law Chris (wife of Ray)

Betty Murphy, friend of Diana Sash

Dawn, Kalyn Putz’ friend, who underwent a double mastectomy

Jeff, Jana Ryan’s uncle, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, hopefully finished chemotherapy around Christmas, and may be able to have surgery as well

Joshua Curtman, grandson of Bill & Jackie Spain, 35 years old and diagnosed with cancer. He has had a biopsy and the family is awaiting results to determine how to proceed with treatment—complete removal by surgery is not possible as the tumor is wrapped around the renal/abdominal aorta (rec’d 12/4)

For God's Healing Touch

Jeff Salasek, who is home recovering from a vehicle accident & subsequent surgery, therapy is going well (12/1/16)

Orville & Jean Beenken, who were injured in a vehicle accident. Orville and Jean who are now at Park Place in Parkersburg (rec’d 11/27, updated 1/30/17) *For an updated address, please contact the Geneseo UMC Office.

Heather Chingren, who has been suffering with severe migraine headaches, & that she might find answers in the coming weeks

Jana Ryan, who has ruptured and bulging disks in her neck, for pain relief (she is allergic to many pain meds), and for her doctors to help determine next steps (rec’d 12/18)

Madison Martin, who had her tonsils & adenoids removed on 12/28; surgery was successful & she is home recovering Rec’d 12/28)

PAGE 4 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

CHILDREN’S PAGE

GENESEO VOICE PAGE 5

JANITOR WANTED AT GENESEO UMC!

Geneseo UMC is looking for a part-time janitor to clean the church building at least once or twice per week. Cleaning schedule is flexible, but at least some time cleaning late in the week is preferred. Applicant must be 16 years of age or older and able to work with minimum supervision. Pay will range from $10-$13 per hour depending upon work history and experience.

If interested, please send a resume, a letter of personal reference and a letter of professional reference to the church office via snail mail or email. (3127—115th St, Buckingham, IA 50612 or office@geneseoumc.org)

If you have questions, please contact SPRC chair Heather Chingren at heatherjo49@hotmail.com or call her at 319-404-1274. Thanks!

DECEMBER 2016 Stewardship Report

$ 35,416 General Fund Balance—12/1/16

+295 Special giving receipts

+34,652 Operating revenue/offerings

-2,785 Special giving disbursements

-13,799 Operating expenses

$ 53,779 General Fund Balance—12/31/16

CHURCH COUNCIL SUMMARY

Council Summary – January 17

Pastor Harry Wach and eight members attended.

Jamie Cook presided.

Pastor Harry opened the meeting with devotions and prayer.

Pastor Harry reported that the transition is going well.

The 2016 Year End record of giving will be mailed to members/financial supporters by January 31. Enclosed with the mailing will be an “Estimate of 2017 Giving” form which, if returned, will be filed by the Finance Secretary for finance planning.

The church website and the church directory will be updated.

Trustees: Tammy Neuendorf is a new member of the Board of Trustees. Jeff Salasek is the elected Trustee Chairman. Terry Van Dyke will be the Trustee maintenance responder for day to day circumstances.

The 60” TV has been installed in the Fellowship Hall by the Trustees. Jeff Salasek plans to complete the wiring which will connect the TV to the tech desk allowing the unit to mirror what is being shown on the sanctuary units.

AED Instruction/Training: Anne Cook led discussion related to demonstration/training on the Automated Exterior Defibrillator (AED). The AED is stored on the coat closet shelf near the sanctuary. An hour long training session with Rick Tresnick, salesman, will be set for the Council and other interested members.

A demonstration/training event for members of the community will also be scheduled.

Anne also volunteered to offer a local CPR Training Class. Individual cost is $27 for use of the Red Cross materials. Certification requires six hours of training.

Future Scheduled Meetings:

February 12th: Council will meet following worship service to consider 2017 Budget adoption.

March 21st: Council Meeting due to conflicts

PAGE 6 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

“Glory Days”

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘Glory Days’? To some it may have been the high school or college athletics or maybe to another a great job they once had, or another that time of growing up with family and friends. We all have those great memories and even sometimes may think we want to return.

In Isaiah 43:18 & 19 the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel who were now in captivity. Their ‘Glory Days’ seemed far behind them.

They had a great history of being saved and led by God. From their exodus out of Egypt, to their establishing themselves in the promised land, to fighting off prospective conquerors. But now, after all the victories and the successes, they find themselves far from home after being conquered and put into captivity.

How could this have happened? Did God forget them?

We may have these same questions when we face difficult situations. Everything was going along fine…then it seems that everything slips away. Like quick sand; one thing and then another until we feel helpless and alone and far from any ‘Glory Days’ we may have enjoyed.

Like the people of Israel we look back to when things were going better for us. We search for a way back. We cry out to God, but there does not seem to be an answer or a sign or a break of any kind.

The hard truth is we are to move ahead not backward. To do this we also can’t depend on yesterday’s faith or victories. They in themselves are not enough. They were for that day and time.

Listen to the prophet’s words, Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?...”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, ‘look around’! God is doing a new thing in your life. A new

vision, a new direction, and new strength for the journey.

I once was privileged to visit with a 96 year old woman in a care center who was a hospice patient. She was definitely someone who could have said her ‘Glory Days’ were long past. However, this lady of faith said just the opposite. Instead of dwelling on the past she would say her best days were yet to come. Every day she had a chance to share with someone her faith story, and see how it and her positive attitude changed their lives.

What do you see? What do you hear? Look forward, not back. Hear God’s encouragement for the ‘Glory Days’ to come in your personal life and in the life of our Church.

Blessings

Pastor Harry

PAGE 7 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

GENESEO UMC—SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERINGS & EVENTS

Disabilities Awareness Special Offering will be February 12th. 100% of this special offering is retained by the IA Annual Conference to provide educational opportunities and to provide grants to local churches to assist in making churches handicapped accessible.

BE ON THE LOOK-OUT!

Easter Garden Order Forms will be out in March!

Geneseo UMC’s Spring Postcards will be out in March!

Holy Week—April 9th (Palm Sunday) through April 16th (Easter Sunday)

Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up will be April 9th

Geneseo Community Luncheon will be April 19th. Catered lunch at 12-noon.

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Sunday Offering—March 26th

On March 26th, we will participate in the “One Great Hour of Sharing” Special Sunday offering. One Great Hour is a Christian effort to empower, provide water, supply food,

and give relief from disasters. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be able to offer aid in Jesus’ name to those who suffer, and it’s your generous giving that allows UMCOR to respond when disaster strikes.

Join other United Methodists around the world on March 26th to promote awareness of the hurts of peoples around the world, and to share the goodness of life with those who hurt.

The church/worship schedule is always available on the church calendar which you can access through our website www.geneseoumc.org.

PASTOR HARRY’S NEW OFFICE HOURS & VACATION INFO

Pastor’s Harry’s set office hours will be as follows: Pastor Harry’s Office Hours:

Mon – 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wed – 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Thu – 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Also available by appointment Pastor Harry’s Contact Information:

Harry Wach 123 Eastgate Drive Reinbeck, Iowa 50669 Church phone: 319-478- 8788

Harry’s cell: 319-240- 7023

Harry’s home: 319-788- 6558 Email: hjwach@mchsi.com

February 6, 2017 through February 27, 2017 Pastor Harry will be on vacation FOR PASTORAL CARE, please contact one of the following: Rev. Linda Butler from Dysart UMC Church: 319-476-2750 Parsonage: 319-476-4175 Rev. Jim Radatz from Zion Lutheran in Dysart 319-476-5590 LAY PEOPLE from our congregation will share sermons and continue to provide worship leadership while Pastor Harry is away. As always, Church Secretary, Ashley’s office hours are as follows: Mondays & Thursdays— 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

PAGE 8 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

ONLINE TO PLANT, GROW, & SHARE!

Don’t forget to check us out on the web! Visit us at:

www.geneseoumc.org

Our website offers up-to-date information such as

Weekly Sunday scriptures and sermons on video

Upcoming Sunday sermon topics/subjects

An events calendar, that updates automatically whenever we make a change

Info on how to access our Online Church Directory

Electronic (E)-publications of the Geneseo Voice (our monthly Newsletter)

A link to subscribe to our Geneseo Voice, the Midweek Update (weekly), or special announcements

Photos of recent church events

And so much more!

We are adding and updating news as we can, so please be sure to check it out frequently and stay current on everything at Geneseo UMC!

UNITED METHODIST STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

The Iowa United Methodist Foundation has NUMEROUS 2017-2018 scholarships available this year, for general education and Seminary!

General scholarships and Seminary scholarships are awarded to qualifying applicants by the Iowa UM Foundation in the spring of 2017. Each scholarship has an

individual application with required criteria, and the student must complete one set of application documents for each scholarship for which they apply.

Applications and criteria are currently available at www.iumf.org.

Incomplete applications cannot be

considered. The deadline for these scholarship applications and all supporting documents must be postmarked by individual scholarship deadlines.

Application forms and all supporting documentation may be sent to: Iowa United Methodist Foundation, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA 50321.

IOWA UMC CAMPS ARE READY FOR YOU!

The 2017 camping year had arrived, and it’s NEVER too early to register for Iowa UMC Camps. Fun and laughter await you at one of our three United Methodist camps—Wesley Woods, Okoboji, and Pictured Rock.

Make new friends, experience new adventures, sing songs around the campfire, and have the time of your life! Iowa UMC Camps can be a life-changing experience where God speaks to youth in many different ways, and you can be sure you’ll have an incredible adventure in a Christian environment.

The Iowa UMC Camps Teams are waiting for you!

Check out the possibilities in the 2017 “BEST. WEEK. EVER.” catalog (at the Geneseo Church office) or go online at www.iaumc.org/camps. Complete a registration form, give it to Pastor Harry or church office. Geneseo UMC will provide financial assistance for any children associated with our church. See Pastor Harry if you have any questions.

*Summer Jobs are also available for Youth/College Students (Leadership in Training) Housing Provided. Visit the website or contact each camp’s site for more information:

www.iaumc.org/camps www.okobojicamp.com www.picturedrocks.org www.wesleywoodsiowa.org

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Geneseo United Methodist Church 3127 115th Street Buckingham, IA 50612 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

3127 115th Street

Buckingham, IA 50612

Phone: 319-478-8788

office@geneseoumc.org

www.geneseoumc.org

Sunday Worship at 9:15am

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.