Newsletter for April 26, 2015

The Bearing Fruit

April 26, 2015

A Look Ahead     

MYF Taco Bar Fundraiser, 12pm                       May 3

IMS Concert Choir at WMC, 6:30pm                  May 10

Annual Church Spring Cleaning Day                 May 16                                 

  

                                                                                                                       

Our Church

Offering for 4/19/15:  $2,156 (regular); $50 (kitchen)

The Nurture Ministry will be offering an adult Bible Study for 8 weeks this summer beginning June 2^nd.  The study is put out by Menno Media and is titled “With the Word: Luke.”  Amanda will lead this study on Tuesday evenings.  See the note in your mailbox for more information and contact Mary Lou by May 17^th to sign up!

Support our MYF students traveling to convention in Kansas City this summer by coming to the MYF Taco Bar Fiesta Fundraiser following the Sunday School hour on May 3^rd.  Donations will be welcomed to help with registration, lodging, and traveling costs.

At our business meeting on Wednesday evening, we voted with 85% affirmation to move ahead with the kitchen remodel project.  Plans and an estimated cost of $52,900 were presented by the committee (Phyllis Litwiller, Karen Bates and Edie Nebel).  Looking forward, pledges or earmarked money needs to be received by July 1^st in order to continue with the project.  The kitchen remodel fund has already received $15,000 to date.  Please consider what you will be able to contribute/pledge to this project in the next few months.

Help Wanted!  Enthusiastic primary-aged children need a SS teacher starting May 3^rd.  Interesting lessons are provided as you teach these eager children.  Contact Mary Lou Farmer today to sign up!  Thanks.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Camp-A-Palooza (Camp Scholarship Fundraiser) is May 9^th and all are invited!  Join us in the morning for the Color-Me-Fun run, check-in at 9:45, (if you haven’t registered, HURRY as early registration closes Monday) followed by a freewill donation BBQ lunch starting at 12:00, live music, bounce house and more.  NEW this year: find out who is sitting under the Dunk Bucket getting splashed for a good cause.

If you want to help throw color or volunteer in other ways during Camp-A-Palooza, contact by emailing megan at crookedcreekcamp.org if interested in helping or with any other questions about the day.

Iowa Mennonite School

Do you have gently worn shoes you or someone in your family no longer wears?  IMS’s Compassion Club would like to donate them to Soles4Souls.  This organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes then distributing those shoes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities.  Our shoe drive will end May 13^th.  Bring shoes to IMS or put them in the box at your church labeled “Soles4Souls.”  An IMS student will bring them to school.  Thank you!

“Spring Fling” will bring a variety show atmosphere to the Celebration Hall stage on Friday, May 1; many IMS students will share their talents through short skits, musical acts, and other surprises.  The show is geared to children of all ages, and begins at 7pm.  Following the show, edible treats (created by the Culinary Arts class) will be served in the lobby.  Admission is by donation only; come and support the arts!

The IMS Touring Choir, under the direction of Josh Tyson, will present a concert on Sunday, May 3 at 9:30am.  The program will be at East Union Mennonite Church.  All are welcome to come and worship with them!

Camp Creamery Drama Camp at IMS will again take place this summer, from July 27-31…for children ages 7 and up (through high school).  Rehearsals will be during the day, with a performance on Friday, July 31.  For more information regarding cost and registration, go to www.iowamennonite.org/camps. 

MCC Iowa Relief Sale

The Relief Sale is quickly approaching!  The quilt committee would like all quilts for the MCC Sale to be turned into a quilt committee member by April 27^th.  If the quilt cannot be delivered by the 27^th, contact Jon Widmer.  The general auction committee is requesting that all donated items for the auction be donated before May 1^st.  Contact your church rep if you’re donating an item for the general auction for more information. 

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for the Central Plains Formation Committee meeting next Saturday.  The CFC equips formation leaders through such activities as teacher training, Shalom Readers, and web resources.

Mennonite Agencies

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Today, DOOR Denver is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo festival fundraiser.  Pray that relationships will deepen as three churches minister to their community through food, local performers, and children’s activities.  DOOR is a MMN partner.

Area Announcements

Larry and Gloria Lundstrom of Sisseton, South Dakota, bring an inspiring and transparent, yet life changing message across the country as they share a heart for Families in crisis. Their unique style of music, humor and ministry, combined with genuine presentation of the Gospel, transcends boundaries of age, status, culture and belief expressing a compelling voice of truth.  They will be appearing at Kalona Mennonite Church on April 26^th at 9:30am.  Questions?  Call 319.656.2736.

Everyone is invited to the Spring meeting of the Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa at the Steve Weeber farm located at 4892 Kansas Ave, SW at 7:00 on Monday, April 27.  Steve has an interesting collection of agricultural tools and equipment stored in a peg and mortis constructed barn.  He will speak about his collection and how he got started collecting.

On Sunday, May 3^rd, at 1pm, Meghan Good will lead a workshop at Wayland Mennonite Church, “The Word Wore Red: Interpretation and Imagination in the Biblical Canon.”  You are invited to come and examine in fresh terms what Scripture is, learn a few simple tips that will transform the way you read it, explore specific strategies for engaging the Bible’s toughest texts, and look at what it means to interpret those texts distinctively as Anabaptists.  Megan will also share her testimony during the 9:30 Sunday School hour and preach in the 10:30 worship hour on the nature of God’s Kingdom in small town settings.  A potluck will follow the worship service.

The Washington UMC is proud to host Joshua Evanovich in concert on Sunday, May 3^rd, at 2pm.  The entire community is invited to enjoy his mixture of music for piano and organ including arrangements of favorite hymns, classical w2orks, and even a few audience requests.  For more information see the bulletin board in the foyer.

End of Life Planning Seminars.  Dr Glen Miller of Goshen, IN has written the book “Living Thoughtfully Dying Well” which describes his experience of dying twice and is a collection of stories designed to help us think about and plan for our own or our families end of life experiences.  Dr Miller will make presentations and offer time for discussion:  East Union Mennonite (May 7 at 7pm), Sugar Creek Mennonite (May 8 at 7pm), Lower Deer Creek (May 10 at 6pm).  On Saturday, May 9 there will be a meeting designed for medical care providers [nurses, doctors, therapists, counselors and allied personnel] at Iowa City Mennonite at 7pm.

The Celebration Community Choir will perform at 7pm on Saturday, May 9^th at IMS.  The program, which was based on the singers’ own musical interests, will include pieces spanning from Palestrina to contemporary pop and will also engage the music and cultural significance of several traditional Mexican songs.  The singers have enjoyed an open and inviting music-making experience and are excited to share.  Everyone is invited and admission is free.

Seize The Summer Tour event with Polen Band and Off The Wall Ministries will take place on Wednesday, May 13^th at 7pm at IMS Celebration Hall.  This event is free and open to the public.  Find and Share the event page on Facebook.