AMBASSADOR - unitedpresbyterianchurchnewton.orgunitedpresbyterianchurchnewton.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/... · Aug. Ministry Schedule Birthdays & Anniversaries 7 ... Personnel

AMBASSADOR December 2012/January 2013

WHAT’S HAPPENING THESE MONTHS?

Worship Services

Community Prayer Gatherings

Committee Meetings

Worship Downtown

Downtown Block Party

Choir Rehearsals

Labor Day

Fall Sunday School Kickoff

Dolores Circle Meeting

Ruth Circle Meeting

Ambassador Folding Party

Our Church at Work 2

Pastor’s Note by Pastor Don Freeman

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Life of the Church News, Activities and Events

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Aug. Ministry Schedule Birthdays & Anniversaries

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August Calendar 8

Sept. Ministry Schedule Birthdays & Anniversaries

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September Calendar 10

A Cheerful Heart 14

Just for Kids 15

Inside this issue:

AMBASSADOR

PASTOR’S NOTE ♫

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebted-ness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

I magine that you were to go on a long trip and so you trust-ed a friend with the key to your house to watch over things

while you were gone. After you leave he moves into your house and claims it as his own. Imagine that the community accepts this arrangement and everyone gives him free reign with your stuff. Eventually he sends you a letter that basically tells you, “It’s all mine now. Don’t bother coming back.” Can’t imagine that? Well, it happens all the time. We call it sin. Sin is telling God, your creator, your Lord, “I want to do things my way.” Of course, those of us who have been saved just dabble in it from time to time, but before we knew Christ we were living in it. Our sin was completely uncalled for. We had no right. We rebelled against the One who gives us everything. We said, “It’s my life and I’ll live it how I want”. We owe Him so much, and yet we cannot pay for what we have done. So what does God do with this debt we owe Him? When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness. In other words, He pays it. All we have to do is admit what we’ve done and return to Him, and He forgives it all. But God isn’t just looking for our confession. He wants our transformation. Jesus teaches us that when we pray for forgiveness, we should also forgive others like God has for-given us. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” To repent is to turn away from sin. We realize that we have done wrong, and we look to change. The healing process often starts with us uttering one of the hardest things to say, which is, “I’m sorry.” The Good News of the cross is that when we say that to God, He forgives us.

So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. II Corinthians 5:20

A bimonthly publication of United Presbyterian Church August/September 2017

AMBASSADOR August/September 2017

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SESSION (meets second Monday at 7:00 p.m.)

2017 2018 2019

Margaret Jensen, Personnel Deb Zieman, Evangelism Duane Daniels, Nominating

Sue Wolters, Christian Education Gary Marshall, Property/Finance Chris Moore, Congregational Life

Cynthia Poots, Worship Rachel Summers, Clerk Scott Griffith, Stewardship/Mission

BOARD OF DEACONS (meets as called)

2017 2018 2019

Joy Osborn-Daniels Phyllis Wood Kristin Titus

Lori Vos Doneta Sullivan Joy Lane

Jill Hook Tiffany Lehrman Jill Titus

OOUU

RR CC

HHUU

RRCC

HH AA

TT WW

OORR

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ORGANIZATIONS AND MEETING TIMES

Sunday School Sundays at 9:15 a.m.

Evangelism Committee As needed.

Christian Education Committee As needed

Worship Committee Last Sunday following Worship

Personnel Committee As needed

Stewardship/Missions Committee As announced

Congregational Life Committee As needed

Property/Finance Committee Third Tuesday of middle month of each quarter

U.P. Youth Fellowship As announced

Women’s Circles Dolores Circle, Third Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Ruth Circle, Second Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Radio Ministry – KCOB AM 1280 & FM 95.9 LIVE on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

STAFF AND MINISTRIES

Pastor & Moderator Rev. Donald Freeman 417-9376

Secretary Linda Rex 275-1204

Choir Director Cynthia Freeman 792-7177

Organist Jean Ibbotson 791-7114

Custodian Ann Raygor 791-9321

Financial Secretary Mary Griffith 792-4209

Assistant Financial Secretary Pam Moore 792-4251

Sunday School Superintendent Jill Hook 792-4274

Assistant S. S. Superintendent Joy Osborn-Daniels 791-7232

Treasurer Cynthia Poots 792-7718

Librarian Betty Hanbeck 792-1142

Prayer Tree Leader Kathy Ellis 792-5219

Church Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. 209 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, Iowa 50208-3243

phone (641) 792-4158 e-mail [email protected] Website: unitedpresbyterianchurchnewton.org


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Having been forgiven, we must also learn to forgive. People will hurt you at times. Intentionally or unintentionally, it still hurts. If we have taken to heart what Christ has done on the cross, then we realize the second hardest thing to say is, “I forgive you.” That is what God wants us to do, to fol-low His example. We need to learn how to forgive someone even when there is no way they can make things right again. We need to realize that forgiveness means we let go of the wrongs suffered. The debt goes unpaid. Like our own, it will have to be forgiven.

(continued from page 1)

You can refuse to do so, of course. God will not “make” you forgive someone. But you do so at your own cost. When you lock your heart up in the prison of unforgiveness, you are distancing yourself from the love of God. Remember how Paul says “the old is gone” and we are “a new creation”? If that is true for you, then you have been set free in Jesus Christ. You have been forgiven and you have been set free to forgive others. Learning to forgive others is part of be-coming like our Lord and Savior. As He has loved us, so we are learning to love others.

In His Love,

Pastor Don


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LIFE OF THE CHURCH

AMBASSADOR DEADLINE is the second to last Monday of odd months. The church office invites news items, announcements, calendar events, and joys and concerns. If you are a leader in the church, please be conscientious about getting relevant information to Linda in a timely manner for publication.

Please keep the office updated concerning prayer needs. If there is a need that should be added to or deleted from the prayer request list, please call Linda at 792-4158, e-mail [email protected], leave a note in the secretary’s box, or stop into the office and leave your message in person.

If your address has changed, or your mail has been temporarily stopped or forwarded, please notify the church office and help us reduce return-postage expenses.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SESSION MEETING - Highlights of the monthly Session meet-ings are reported so members and friends can be informed of discussions held and de-cisions made. This report follows the Session’s approving of the minutes, so the fol-lowing items are from the May and June meetings. Please contact a Session member with comments/questions.

In addition to routine business items,

Rachel Summers shared communications from the Presbytery of Des Moines and from Menaul School.

Pastor Don reported on hospital and parish calls, noted Leo and Marcia Harrington’s 75th wedding anniversary, reported on his attendance at the Presbytery meeting on June 3rd, and reminded the session members about summer hours for the church office.

Sue Wolters reported that teacher recognition would be held Sunday, May 14th, that recog-nition of high school graduates would occur Sunday, May 21st, and that from May 28th through September 3rd there would be no Sunday School classes or Presbyteers. She shared thanks to all who helped with Vacation Bible School.

Deb Zieman shared information about May Day visits to church members and friends of the church and discussed having another trivia night in the fall as a fundraiser for the hallway carpet. She reported that the Random Acts of Kindness bulletin board is up, so notes can be added to share with others in the congregation. She plans to hold another Random Acts of Kindness day in the fall. She said that VBS attendance was up a bit over last year.

Scott Griffith reported that we are missing budget by $5,700, that the Compassion Interna-tional Sunday that Cynthia Freeman wanted to have will be delayed due to schedule con-flicts, that he is still trying to plan something for Hope Ministries, and that he might plan to grill hotdogs or give out popsicles as part of our community outreach on July 4th.

Cynthia Poots reported that communion was served to 42 people on Sunday, May 7th and to 51 on Sunday, June 4th. She asked about the Freeman’s vacation plans so she could arrange coverage, and reported that the June 18th radio broadcast would run as usual with UPC hosting the Vacation Bible School service.

Chris Moore mentioned plans to have Gordon Brand share a PowerPoint of his trip to the Grand Canyon, which he believes was on their laptop that was stolen from their vehicle at their home. Chris said that Plan B is to have an ice cream social.

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Gary Marshall reported that the repair work in the ladies’ restroom behind the stage is fin-ished and looks great. He also reported that he had received a quote of $7,250 from Dan El-lis at the Floor Store for replacement of carpeting in the hallways outside the sanctuary, that a member had stepped forward to pay for part of that expense, and that he would submit a bulletin announcement to inform the congregation of the project and of the need to finance it. Gary also reported that our custodian, Ann, had left him a note indicating that the finish around windows is peeling off.

The balcony laptop was displaying a message indicating that the battery needed to be re-placed. It hadn’t worked properly at Ralph McAdoo’s funeral. Pastor Don purchased a new laptop for almost 50% discount.

Someone approached Pastor Don about the condition of the Palo Alto Church, expressing interest in the building.

A Church Block Party is tentatively planned for August.

MediaCom has made some attractive offers in pursuit of our business. Gary Marshall of-fered to contact the radio station to determine how the broadcast currently works, and if in-ternet streaming might be a possibility instead of a phone line. Once more information is gathered, we will discuss options in further detail with MediaCom to determine whether it would be better to switch to MediaCom or stay with Windstream.

NO HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE REPORTED IN JUNE OR JULY

IF YOU KNOW OF A HOSPITALIZED person who would like for the church family to be notified, please contact Linda at the church office. Those reported to the church office will be listed in the bulletin and newsletter.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES to the family of Russell Blumeyer, who passed away July 20th; to the family of Niles Vorthmann (Jill Hook’s brother), who passed away June 17th; and to the family of Viva Jones (Linda Rex’s mother), who passed away July 12th.

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS UNABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH and would appre-ciate receiving the worship bulletin by mail, please notify Linda at the church office.

THE “PRAYER TREE” is a telephone chain for the purpose of enlisting prayers when a member or friend of the church is in need. Remember this ministry when you become aware of a need, and call Kathy Ellis (792-5219) to begin a chain of prayer for that need. Don’t hesitate to share your need with your church family. If you are a link in the chain, please be very consci-entious about accurately passing on the request and praying promptly for the need.

2ND SUNDAY DEACON’S FUND – “Loose-change” offering on the 2nd Sunday of each month goes to the Deacon’s Fund, along with donations designated as such. Designate your do-nation by writing “deacons” on the “for” line of your check, enclose it in any offering envelope and write on the envelope the amount that is for the Deacon Fund, or use one of the “Deacon Fund” envelopes in a pew rack. Deacons minister to many needs of the congregation. In addi-tion to supporting this ministry financially, please remember to give them your prayer support.

DAILY DEVOTIONALS for September/October will be available August 20th in both regular and large-print editions. Please ask an usher for a copy or pick up a copy from the table in the narthex. If you are homebound and would like to receive a copy of this devotional, please con-tact your elder or deacon or the church office.

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CHECK OUT THE CHURCH’S WEBSITE at www.unitedpresbyterianchurchnewton.org. Please look around and offer your input and suggestions. Note that

you can access the weekly bulletin from the “Worship” page and the bimonthly newsletter (in color!) from the “Newsletter” page - look at them on your computer screen or print them out. Each Sunday’s

bulletin will be available by Friday afternoon. The newsletter will be available by the first day of the month of the current issue. You’ll also

want to check out the color photos of recent church activities. Who knows, you may even find yourself in a picture! If you have pictures that would

enhance our website, please feel free to send them to the church office via email. AND, check this out: The church pictorial directory is now available on the church’s website! It is password protected; get the password from Pastor Don or from Linda Rex.

A HEARING ASSISTIVE DEVICE is available for those who need help hearing during the worship service. If you have difficulty hearing, please feel free to talk with Ben Clayton who can show you how to use this new technology to improve your worship experience.

THE DEADLINE FOR BULLETIN ITEMS is 8:30 a.m. each Wednesday. The church office invites news items, announcements, calendar events, and joys and concerns. If you are a leader in the church, please be conscientious about getting relevant information to Linda in a timely manner for publication. Please keep the office updated concerning prayer needs. If there is a need that should be added to or deleted from the prayer request list, please call Linda at 792-4158, e-mail [email protected], leave a note in the secretary’s box, or stop into the office and leave your message in person.

“COME” (James 5:14-16 & Revelation 22:17). If you are in need of healing and believe God can heal you, you are invited by Pastor Don and the elders to come for prayer. The first few minutes of every Session meeting are set aside for obedience to the James 5 directive. The next opportunity is 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 11th (there will be no August meeting). To avoid the disappointment of discovering that the meeting was canceled or postponed, before coming for prayer, please call the church office, the pastor, or one of the elders to confirm that the meet-ing has not been changed. Please don’t hesitate to return again - and again - and again . . if you do not receive healing the first time. God has put it on Pastor Don’s heart to keep asking for complete healing until either he is healed or God tells him to stop asking, and Jesus taught in Luke 18 that we should pray and not give up. Let anyone who is thirsty come. (Rev. 22:17)

“WORSHIP DOWNTOWN” & A BLOCK PARTY are planned for Sunday, August 27th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event will be held on North 3rd Avenue East, and will include worship and a desserts-and-coffee fellowship time with our downtown neighbors in Christ. United Presbyterian will join First United Methodist, Congregational United Church of Christ, First Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Salvation Army, First Christian, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Churches for this combined worship service and fellowship. Bring lawn chairs, sunscreen, and sunglasses. In the event of rain, we will meet in the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall. This year’s spe-cial offering will support the Jasper County Elderly Nutri-tion Program.

There will be no service at UP that morning.




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3rd ……..……….Marvin & Margery Potter 4th……….…....…....Lance & Heather Ross 9th………………….Phil & Sandy Pearson 14th………………….…...Tom & Erica Kitt 22nd ……….....….....Danny & Janet Nichols 25th …….…….Randy & Margaret Caldwell

Celebrating Marriage

The following couples celebrate the gift of marriage by observing their wedding anniversaries.

We salute these who have committed their lives to each other.

Ministry Schedule Ushers………........................................Don Perkins

…..…..……………...Jerry & Cynthia Poots

Acolytes ….….………...……….…Garret Beerends

….……..…………….….Alyssa Beerends

Scripture Bearer…...………….……...Mara Prihoda

Liturgist …............................................Deb Zieman

Fellowship Committee ………...…Margaret Jensen

….....Jerry & Cynthia Poots

Greeters.….….............................Paul & Kathy Ellis

Celebrating Life

We wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the people listed above who are celebrating another year of life!

1st ……..………………..Shirley Johnson 2nd ……………...…….…...David Jensen 4th …....……….….…......Morgan Daniels 9th …..………….…......Mildred Swalwell 10th …..…….………….…......Gary Forbes 13th ……….……………...…Janet Nichols 17th …....…….…..…….…......Pat Clayton 18th …....…….………….…........Paul Ellis 19th ….……………....…..…Cynthia Poots 20th ……………………......Lois Blumeyer 23th ………………...…….Verle Summers 24th ….…………....…………Talbot Hook …….……………...….…...Jim Wilson 26th …….……………….Rachel Summers 27th …..………..……......…Betty Hanbeck …………………….....Adam Hammer …………………...…..David Freeman 29th ………………....……Doneta Sullivan 31st …………….………..…..John Zieman ……………………...Christian Dennis …………………...….Julianna Dennis

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

Proverbs 2:11


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1st ……….…....…….Scott & Mary Griffith 2nd…….......……David & Margaret Jensen 3rd …...……......Jerry & Charlotte Damman 15th ……………...Andy & Tiffany Lehrman 17th …..………….Mitch & Stephanie Roush 18th ...Duane Daniels & Joy Osborn-Daniels 23rd ….…...….....….Jerold & Cynthia Poots .…..………….....Trevor & Kristin Titus

Celebrating Marriage

The following couples celebrate the gift of marriage by observing their wedding anniversaries.

We salute these who have committed their lives to each other.

Celebrating Life

6th ….....….……….….………...Jill Titus 7th ….…….………………....….Jill Hook 9th …………….….………..…Rilyn Titus 12th …...…………….….…..…Ron Forbes ………………….….…..Charles Korte 15th ……….……………...…Missy Gettler …..……....………….…..Kennedy Kitt …...……….………….…...Kaiden Kitt 21st …...….………….…......Lindsey Hook 22nd …………………………….Ellen Hill 23rd …………………..…….Mara Prihoda 25th ….……....……………...…Jae Wilson

We wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the people listed above who are celebrating another year of life!

Ministry Schedule Ushers………...………………...David & Jill Hook

Acolytes ….…….………..………..…Addison Ross

………...…....….……….…..Aliviah Ross

Scripture Bearer…...………….……...Mara Prihoda

Liturgist ..….......…..……..…….....…...David Hook

Fellowship Committee ……..……Rachel Summers

…....…Bud & Pat Summers

Greeters…….……..................................Pam Moore

……….……………………...Mary Griffith

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

~ John 8:36, NLT

Your word is

a lamp to guide my feet and

a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105


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PRAYER—Don’t miss the One Voice Community Prayer Gatherings at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month - August 1st and September 5th. Location is United Presbyterian unless announced otherwise.

CHURCH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS (through August) are 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays (closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). This is when the secretary will be out of the office. The pastor will be in his office during regular hours. Regular hours (8:30 a.m.—2:15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednes-days, and Thursdays) will resume following Labor Day.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider adding your name to the sign-up list on the table in the front of the fellowship hall. Volunteer lawn mowers can save the church about $1,000 if we have enough people willing and able to mow each week. Thanks!

THANKS TO those who are teaching Sunday School; all who serve faithfully on church commit-tees, as acolytes, ushers and greeters; those who share their ministry of helping in such things as working with the youth, preparing the “Ambassador” and folding bulletins; and others who serve

the Lord in various ways in the church and in the community.

Dear UPC Deacons, Thank you very much for the generous gift you gave me and the card. It means so much to me that I have this much support. I know this will help me, no matter what my path leads to, and thanks to you, I will have a good head start!

Sincerely, David Freeman

Many, many thanks to the UP deacons for the beautiful flowers; also to church friends who sent lovely cards congratulating us on our 75th wedding anniversary. Leo & Marcia Harrington

Dear Friends, Thank you so much for your support of Hope Ministries! I pray you are blessed as you have been a blessing to others. In Christ, Terri, Hope Ministries

Deacons, Thanks for the $50, I really appreciate it. Derek Lamb

Deacons, Thank you for the beautiful floral arrangement. Your thoughtfulness is much appreci-ated by the entire family. The family of Russell Blumeyer

United Presbyterian Dolores Circle, Thank you for your generous donation to the worthwhile cause of Days for Girls International. You can be assured that your donation will be used to cre-ate more sustainable hygiene kits for girls all over the world. These kits help them stay in school which contributes greatly to their future. Thanks again. Sincerely, Marilyn McCallister, Co-leader, Newton DfGInt Team P.S. Please feel free to stop by on workshop day—4th Thurs-day, 9-2 in First Presbyterian fellowship hall— to see the kit assembly in action.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

BIBLES will be presented to Aliviah Ross, Rilyn Titus, and Nikelle Birech on September 10th.

“ALL ARE PRECIOUS” is an opportunity for the congregation to minister to the school-aged youth of the church. Each month the Christian Education committee will feature one or more youth. All Kindergarten-12th graders are asked to submit an individual picture to or see Joy Os-born-Daniels to have their picture taken during one of the Sundays in August. Watch the screens in the sanctuary for pictures of the featured youth beginning in September. Please take a moment to pray daily for the following young people; reach out to them on Sunday mornings; send an en-couraging note; and/or remind them that they are, indeed, “Precious in His Sight!” The following youth will be recognized in the coming year: September – Christelle Alzahrani and Masyn Titus; October – Mikyala Creech; November – Nikelle Birech, Aliviah Ross, and Rilyn Titus; December – Carter Lehrman; January – Addison Ross; February – Garret Beerends; March – Kerrigan Moore; April – Alyssa Beerends; May – Andrea Freeman and Anna Hanbeck.



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THE PRESBYTEERS—UP’s 7th-12th grade youth as The Presbyteers will resume their monthly puppet ministry children’s sermons on the third Sunday of each month beginning September 17th.

KIDS’ ADVENTURES—Get Ready! Get Set! Go! Kids’ Adventures begins September 21st! Come join Jill Hook and Sue Wolters in the church fellowship hall on the 2nd and 4th Thurs-days of each month for Christian fellowship, fun, learning and, yes, even snacks! The time will be 3:30 until 5:00 p.m., and is for kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade.

The 2017-18 UP Sunday School Kick-off will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Sun-day, September 10th, in the fellowship hall. All are invited to a breakfast of biscuits & gravy, fruit, coffee & juice, and an enjoyable time revisiting

childhood favorites like “Jesus Loves Me,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Father Abraham,” “Rise & Shine,” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” “Kumbaya,” and “The B-I-B-L-E!” We also will introduce the 2017-18 Sunday School teachers!

OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS—Please keep the following college students in your prayers: Ben Ellis, Morgan France, David Freeman, Sierra Griffith, Derek Lamb, and Abby Zieman. Collegiate addresses will be available in the October/November Ambassador.

All 7th-12th graders are invited to join us on Sunday mornings in the youth room where we will explore the “Truth or Dare" series. We will get together for the first time after the Sunday School kickoff on September 10th around 9:30 a.m. Come help us plan the year of ser-vice as a Presbyteer and dive right into describing what truth really is and how it affects our daily lives. What is good? What is evil? How should we conduct our lives to be morally right with God? What is morally right? This series answers some difficult questions with well-

balanced, Biblical truths. A typical Sunday begins after the morning opening exercises in fel-lowship hall and includes Presbyteer rehearsal, breakfast treats, fun opener, and lesson time. We are looking forward to an amazing year! ~ Duane & Joy Daniels

STEWARDSHIP & MISSIONS

GENERAL MISSIONS GIVING is distributed as follows: 25% to each of Discover Hope, the Sudanese Mission, the Bolivia Mission, and Hope Ministries. If you prefer that your missions contributions be distributed differently, please designate so on your check or envelope. Please keep all of these missions in your prayers.

DISCOVER HOPE is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to providing support for those struggling with addiction. Discover Hope’s mission statement is “Discovering hope through Christ Jesus for those who want to transform to a new life and break free from their past”. The ministry is based on II Corinthians 5:17: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Our community has struggled with the bondage of addiction for many years, substance abuse in particular. Discover Hope intends to be a catalyst for changing that.



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HOPE MINISTRIES ministers to many homeless and/or hungry men, women and children. Our donations have a positive and powerful impact, enabling the staff to provide safe shelter, nutritious food and new hope through God’s Word. There are many ways to get involved in this ministry; check it out at www.hopeiowa.org and

pick up a copy of the September/October “Stories of Hope” newsletter in the fellowship hall. Here is a message from Leon Negen, Hope Ministries’ President/CEO: “Every boy and girl in our care at Hope Ministries is God’s unique creation and holds so much promise and potential. Yet we know their futures are at risk because of the challenges brought on by homelessness, including educational delays, poor nutrition and lack of proper structure and guidance. At our Hope Center for Women and Children, we welcome our littlest guests – often frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings – with understanding, compassion and a plan to help families identify the gifts God has given them and how to use their talents to build lives of joy and meaning. Just as important, we help struggling moms overcome the obstacles in their own lives so they can provide stable futures for their children. Our programs for hurting children are an important as-pect of our ministry, as they give us the opportunity to help families break the cycle of poverty and grow into contributing members of our community. We’re so blessed by your faithful pray-ers and gifts, which are helping to build bright futures one child at a time!”

COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY NEEDS for August are peanut butter and jelly; for September, pancake mix and syrup. Donations can be left in the fellowship hall. Your support is appreciated.

PROPERTY AND FINANCE

CARPET—The carpet in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall is in bad shape. The seams are coming apart in several locations. Besides being unattractive, this consti-tutes a possible tripping hazard. We have a $7,250 estimate from the Floor Store in Newton to

replace the hallway carpet and the carpet on the landings and stairs going down. We had sev-eral major projects last year (roof and tuckpointing), which depleted our building major maintenance fund. The session would like your input to determine if you feel this is a worth-while project, and if you would be willing to support it financially. Please contact any session member with your input. Thank you. Gary Marshall, Property and Finance Committee

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

THE DOLORES CIRCLE meets in the fellowship hall at 9:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, excluding December and summer months. The September meeting will be the 20th (there will be no August meeting). The group will begin a new study, Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer.

She shares her insights based on practical experience and years of bibli-cal study. She writes: “Through His longsuffering and steadfastness, God has invited me to know Him better. And the more intimate I've be-come with Him, the more acquainted I've become with His voice. He loves proving His Word is true - to all His children. Discover the treas-

ure of recognizing how God keeps in touch with his people and watch as He communicates with you.” All women are invited, welcome, and encouraged to attend these meetings.

THE RUTH CIRCLE meets regularly at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, excluding December and summer months. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on September 14th. All ladies are welcome.



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A CHEERFUL HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE . . . Proverbs 17:2

A bar called Drummond's (in Mt Vernon, Texas) began construction on an expan-sion of their building, hoping to "grow" their business. In response, the local Southern Baptist Church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding - pe-titions, prayers, etc. About a week before the bar's grand re-opening, a bolt of lightning struck the bar and burned it to the ground! Afterward, the church folks were rather smug - bragging about "the power of prayer". The angry bar owner eventually sued the church on grounds that the church ... "Was ultimately respon-sible for the demise of his building, through direct actions or indirect means." The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise. The judge read carefully through the plaintiff's complaint and the defend-ant's reply. He then opened the hearing by saying: "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that what we have here is a bar owner who now believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congrega-tion that does not."

In Thanks: the resurrection, blessings of health, of family, of friends, Pastor Don & family, those who serve others in many ways;

For Health: J.D. Wood, Jeff Brittain, Mildred Swalwell, Barbara Hartgers, Pat Clayton, Janet Nichols,

Lois Blumeyer, Ruth Hill, Martha Hill, Betty Hanbeck, Marcia Harrington, Leo Harrington, Alice Beatty, Phil Pearson, Fran Caldwell; For Protection: Those who serve us (law en-forcement, EMTs, firefight-ers, military);

For Comfort: The families of Viva Jones (Linda Rex’s mother), of Russell Blumeyer and of Niles Vorthmann (Jill Hook’s brother);

General: Pastor Don & family, wisdom for leaders of our community, state, and nation.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER

If there is a need that should be added to or deleted from this prayer request list, please call Linda at 792-4158, e-mail [email protected], leave a note in the secretary’s box, or stop into the office and leave your message in person. Thanks.


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The Kids’ Page


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UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 209 North Second Avenue East Newton, IA 50208-3243 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid

Newton, Iowa Permit No. 311

Our Mission Growing in faith in Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to share God’s love

and teach others Christ’s way.

Our Vision . . . to be a growing community of believers

that enthusiastically reflects the character of Jesus Christ; a place where people encounter the Living God,

are nurtured within the Church family, are equipped to grow into the image of Christ,

and seek to bring others into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 209 North 2nd Avenue East

Newton, Iowa 50208-3243

(641) 792-4158 [email protected]

unitedpresbyterianchurchnewton.org

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