March 18, 2012 Newsletter

Bearing Fruit
March 18, 2012

Our Church

Happy Birthday to: Teag Miller (3/19),Martha Graber (3/21)

Offering for 2/19/12:  $3,000 (regular), $10 (Sing the Story), $150 (HACAP), $258 (Lenten Lunch Offering)

Elder’s meeting this Wednesday, March 21 at 7 pm.

Come here Roger Farmer report on a recent 12 day trip to Ecuador with the Central Plains Conference.  He visited Mennonite churches in Ecuador and listened to stories about Colombian refugees in Ecuador trying to escape both right-wing and left-wing guerillas in Colombia.  JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) is sponsoring this even here at church on March 25.  Come for a finger foods potluck and conversation (bring your own table service) at 6pm, or at 7pm to hear Roger’s presentation.  For more information call Roger Farmer at 319-653-2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort at netins.net.

The Saturday Kitchen is held at the United Presbyterian fellowship hall every Saturday over noon.  Our church is responsible for the meal on March 31. We are responsible for preparing, serving, cleanup, and food expenses. An estimated 15 people will be needed each Saturday. See the sign-up sheets or Cindy Widmer for more information.

The Mennonite Church USA magazine seeks to fulfill its mission of helping readers glorify God, grow in faith and become agents of healing and hope in the world through articles that challenge and inspire, news that connects readers to the larger Mennonite community and much more.  If you would like to start receiving The Mennonite this next year, place a check for $37 in the offering along with a note including your current address by April 8^th.  For more information talk to Andrea Nussbaum.

Iowa Mennonite School

The IMS Symphonic Band, along with orchestras from Bethany Christian (Goshen, IN) and Central Christian (Kidron, OH), will present a joint concert today at 3:00 p.m. in Celebration Hall.  All are invited to enjoy the concert.

IMS’s Compassion Club is hosting a talent show on Mar 24^th, at 7 in Celebration Hall.  The evening will feature the gifts and talents of students and others, raising funds for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society and other charities.  All are invited to attend.

IMS’s Touring Choir, under the direction of Karenza Yoder, will begin their spring concert schedule with a program of worship at Bethel Mennonite Church near Wayland, on Sunday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m.  The choir is comprised of 31 juniors and seniors; they will present a variety of sacred pieces.  All are invited to attend the service.  A free-will offering will be taken for the school.

Students interested in attending IMS for the first time this coming fall, and their parents, are invited to an evening of info and getting acquainted on Monday, Mar 26.  It will begin at 7pm in Celebration Hall.  There will be a chance to meet teachers, parents, and students as well as receive info regarding curriculum.  Refreshments are available following the formal part of the evening.  For more info, contact Enrollment Director Candi Schmieder at candi.schmieder at gmail.com.

Mennonite Agencies

The annual Iowa Mennonite Disaster Service meeting will be March 25, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Pray for Lawrence Coetzee, a leader of the Grace Community Churches in South Africa.  Lawrence makes an 8 hour round trip to attend Bethany Bible School to help his congregations, who are MMN partners, better understand what being Anabaptist means.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for the upcoming gathering of Central Plains church planters scheduled for March 30 and 31.  The conference hosts this event to resource and support our church planters.

Washington Area

Come to Sugar Creek Mennonite Church March 18 and help build a camp cabin.  A lasagna lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Proceeds will go to build a new cabin for Crooked Creek Christian Camp.  Eight of the cabins are more than 80 years old, have lead paint, and are not secured to the ground.  We would like to raise the $11,000 needed to replace one cabin for the more than 350 children ages 6-16 who attend summer camp at CCCC.  Our goal is to raise the necessary funds by April 15.  Direct questions and/or donations to Chris Boshart, Sugar Creek’s CCCC representative, 319-256-4545 or cboshart at agriwaypartners.com

Quest is a free community event on March 18, at 6 PM at Mid-Prairie High School. Quest is an event planned for the community by community people. The event is a movement toward getting those who are seeking and looking for answers involved and plugged into small groups where they can pursue their faith. The purpose of Quest is to bring in friends (adult and youth) who are open to the Gospel, but may be unchurched or non-Christians. Brad Murray (Mick’s nephew) will bring a message and also featuring the Murray family and music by The Ransom Project. For more information contact Rodney & Jodi Gehman: 319-683-3357.

Everence Representative Justin Brokaw will be available from 10 am to 2 pm March 20^th at Wayland Mennonite Church, or by appointment the rest of the day.  He will answer questions on current accounts, Medicare supplement, budgeting and retirement savings assistance, as well as health, life, and long term care insurance needs.  Our desire at Everence is to help you follow God’s will for your life in managing what God has given.  Give us a call at 877-656-4242.

The Bethel College Concert Choir will be in the area as part of their spring tour.  You can see them Thursday, March 22, 7 pm at West Union Mennonite Church or on Friday, March 23 as part of IMS’s morning chapel.

Michael Lillie, founder of Peace for the City in Minneapolis, MN, will be presenting a Journey Toward Forgiveness workshop at the West Union Mennonite Church on Saturday morning, Mar 24.  The 2 sessions are entitled, “Universal Principles of Forgiveness” and, “Barriers to Change.”  He will also be preaching Sunday morning and sharing during Sunday School.  In addition you are invited to the MYF Fundraiser potato bar on Sunday noon.  For more information call (319) 646-6004. 

Crowded Closet will be giving its proceeds on Saturday, March 24^th to the Murray children.  Come shop and help the family at the same time. 

You are invited to attend the annual Kalona MOPS fundraiser meal on March 25th at Kalona Mennonite Church.  We will be serving from 11:30 - 1:30.  The menu features turkey, party mashed potatoes, green beans, lettuce salad, fluff, dinner roll, and dessert.  Free will donations will be accepted.  Please join us and help support your local MOPS group.

Parkview Home is having their annual Peanut Auction for the residents on Wed, March 28, at 2pm.  They are seeking small donations by March 26^th of small items the residents will be able to ‘purchase’ with peanuts.  For a list of items like pens, crosswords, and shampoo see the orange paper on the bulletin board.

Christ in the Passover – A presentation by Jews for Jesus on Wednesday, March 28^th at 7:00pm at Faith Baptist Church.  For more information see the flyer on the bulletin board.

“Passion of the Christ” Screening - The Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church will sponsor the screening of “The Passion of the Christ,” on April 1 at 6:30 pm in Celebration Hall on the Iowa Mennonite School campus.  There is no admission and there will be childcare in the school gymnasium.  Due to the graphic nature of this movie, we advise parents to determine if it is appropriate for their children.  The film graphically displays the Biblical account of what Jesus went through to bring us God’s Salvation. You are invited to invest 127 minutes of your Holy Week to share this experience with us.

Jubilance Children's Choir, a community children's choir with 35 singers, will present their spring concert Come Celebrate God's Gift of Music on Sunday, April 1 at 4pm at Kalona Mennonite Church.  

The Washington Area Ministerial Association (WAMA) is inviting the entire community to come together on Good Friday, April 6^th at noon.  We will start at the post office for a moment of reflection and then continue on to 13 different locations around Central Park, ending at First Baptist Church.  We will be reflecting on Jesus’ suffering and death.  The walk will take around an hour.  Everyone is welcome to join!  If you have any questions, please call Pastor Jim Stiles at 319-653-5446.

The Crowded Closet is seeking 2 part time positions, one workroom assistant, one retail assistant manager.  Applications will be accepted until April 2^nd.  For more information, contact Betsy or Karen at 319-337-5924.