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Contact Us 515-967-2991
Pastor John Gaulke
Steve McLellan
Minister of Creative Arts
& Pastoral Care
Brandon Lindsey
Children’s Ministry Director
Travis Wentworth
Youth Director
LeAnn Gaulke
Director of Small Groups
& Assimilation
Jane Burns
Financial Manager
Sue Bennett
Administrative Assistant
Heather Mahoney
Executive Assistant
January 2016
Volume 57 Issue 1
Small Groups 3
Invasion Students 4
Children’s Ministry 5
Music Ministry 6
Top Notchers 7
Chili Cook Off 8
Announcements 9
Online Giving 11
AUMC App 12
Inside This Issue
Continued on page 2
Dear friend,
Every year as the last few days of December fade away,
whether I like it or not, I spend some time evaluating the past
year and contemplating what I need to focus on in the New
Year. I don’t always enjoy this practice, but I see the necessity of
doing it. It is a time that helps me to see if I’m growing in any
areas other than just the numbers on the bathroom scale. As I
look at the past year I, like many of you, begin to craft a few
resolutions – ways to help me achieve more in the upcoming
year. And that’s when the word “more,” blindsided me. The more I thought about more I realized that the idea of more
would form the basis of an inspiring and helpful new sermon
series. What if in 2016 each of us had more accomplishments
and less regrets, more peace and less chatter, more adventure
and less boredom, more gratitude and less selfishness, more time
and less stress, more confidence and less fear – I don’t know
about you, but I want MORE in 2016. Dr. Duane Vander Klok writes that most of us tend to think too
small, pray too small, believe too small and live too small. We
believe the lie that God may be able to do that for someone
else, but not for me. This kind of thinking limits what God can do
in us and through us. It can also keep us from realizing our full
potential in life. In other words, we become content living a life
of less. It’s time we stopped listening to the enemy and started
living up to the full potential that each one of us has in God. It’s
time we started to live a life of MORE. I invite you to join me each Sunday in January as, together, we
discover how to have MORE in 2016!
Striving for more with you,
Pastor John
Volume 57 Issue 1 Page 2
Cancellation Notification Due to Bad Weather
‘Tis the season for inclement weather! If we need to cancel church activities due to bad
weather, we will take three steps to notify you.
1. An email will be sent out to everyone on our weekly email list. If you would like to join this
list, go to the church website http://www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Resources tab,
choose E-Newsletter Signup, enter your email address, and choose the Weekly Newsletters
list.
2. Our website front page will have an announcement of the cancellation.
3. The cancellation will scroll on WHO Channel 13.
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For many of us the new-year is a sort of awakening. You have a chance to look back
on the last year and question all that was accomplished during the year. You may look
back and see that you accomplished everything you wanted. If you are like me, though,
you may be looking back on this year feeling more or less dissatisfied with your goals. Soon
we will be looking forward to a new year, and that may be a rude awakening of sorts.
While on the topic of Awakenings, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was absolutely
tremendous. I cried a little bit, laughed a lot, and found myself imagining the possibilities of
living in such a world. Honestly, it gave me much hope, you could say, A New Hope, for
what God has in store for us in 2016.
As this New Year approaches at Light-Speed, I am
reminded once again that everything I do is eternally
important. As a student, and as a Christian I get to make
choices every minute that impact not just me, not just those
around me, but everything and everyone for eternity. As you
make your new year’s resolution, as you spend the Oh-So
magical downtime with your family, I ask you to zoom out. I ask
stand firm and steady in the day to day, the minute to minute.
Take your perspective up to 40,000 feet. Go to where only
Star-Destroyers, X-Wings, and Tie-Fighters dare to venture, and
see your current situation from that perspective. Through the
zoomed-out lens of eternity we find things far greater than
lightsabers and BB-8. As we make 2016 goals feel free to shoot
for the stars, because we have a force far greater within us
than anything in Star Wars. We have the Holy Spirit, God
himself!
I am so excited to share this New Year with you! I look
forward to my first Summer Games University with you. I am
excited for our first lock-in together. I am most excited for the
times that we get to spend in small groups whether at Invasion, Confirmation, or as a part of
Leading Right Now. In all of these we take the approach of zooming out so we may
understand best how God loves us and how he wants us to live.
In 2016 Altoona United Methodist Church’s student ministry has many goals, events
planned, and great stories in the making. As we stay up all night to bring in the New Year
we will have a chance to look ahead and get excited, and we will try to look back and
improve. We will take bold steps of faith and step up in leadership. We will take a scary
step; we will invite a friend into our lives. We will choose to snooze the alarm just once so we
can wake up and start our day with something solid– Jesus’ words. In everything we do,
though, we will zoom out. We will remember that our choices have eternal impact and
God has eternal grace. As life ebbs and flows we will be at peace and at rest in a savior
who awakens and controls the forces of this life and the next.
Travis Wentworth, Youth Director.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens was tremendous.”
Volume 57 Issue 1 Page 5
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During the Christmas season we see a plethora of movies that speak of the search for
spirituality, the epic battle for truth, and the struggle between good and evil (e.g. Star Wars,
Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Chronicles of Narnia, etc). A book written nearly 2,000 years ago speaks of a church in the midst of an epic struggle to
bring the Truth to their community and ultimately the world. It reads,
“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with
power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.” The writer went on to say,
As we begin the New Year I want you to know that I thank God for you and your faithful
work and loving deeds. We indeed do talk to the Father about you and pray God’s
blessings on you in 2016. And we covet God’s continual blessing on the worship as you
continue to serve and pray for this ministry! Thank you! ON A SPECIAL NOTE ♪ - The music ministry is especially appreciative of the all the extra time
and effort given by our choirs, orchestra, support team. I would like to recognize Carrie
Forristall for her leadership with the children’s choirs and Mike Maly for his leadership on the
technical side. Mike and the tech team provided extraordinary lighting and sound for our
Christmas outreach. ♫ JANUARY MINISTRY SCHEDULE
We resume all regular rehearsals the week of January 4. I trust that our musicians enjoyed
the short break over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The New Year is a great time to make simple changes or add new personal goals. If you
have thought about building your spiritual life, your musical skills, and would like to meet
some new people then please check out any of the groups listed here!
Steve McLellan If questions contact me at [email protected] or 967-2991.
“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our
God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your
continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Bell Choir – Mondays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the sanctuary - (Starting January 11th)
Orchestra – Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45 pm in the sanctuary
Adult Choir – Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:50 pm in the sanctuary
Worship Band – Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:30 pm in the sanctuary
Junior Choir – Sundays from 9:00 to 9:30 am in the basement below youth room.
Worship
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Tuesday, January 12, noon Potluck in the Family Life Center
Chairperson: Dale & Jan Hartgraves
Host/Hostess: Mary Wood, Larry & Connie Ramseyer
Program: Mike Chapman, creator of the Iowa History Journal, will review famous
Iowans, like Nile Kinnick
Bring a donation for the food pantry
Tuesday, February 9, noon Potluck in the Family Life Center
Chairperson: Marilyn Cowell
Host/Hostess: Marilyn Cowell, Janice Brouwer
Program: Daniel Finney, The Register’s Metro Voice Columnist
Bring a donation for the food pantry
Tuesday, March 9 Sticks Factory Tour
Chairperson: Marla Carr
Carpool from church at 9:30 a.m.
Cost of tour is $3/person
Lunch in Valley Junction at 11:30 a.m.
Upcoming Get Togethers
The office will be closed on the following days for the New Year’s holidays:
Thursday December 31st &
Friday, January 1st
New Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+
winter
4th Annual Chili/Soup Cook Off Sunday, January 31 | 5:00 p.m. | Family Life Center
Everyone, including small groups, are invited to compete, volunteer to judge or participate
in a delicious meal. Come taste the varieties of chili/soup, enjoy the fellowship and cast
your vote for the People’s Choice award.
Admission—1 canned good per person. All canned items will be donated to the Caring
Hands Food Pantry. Each canned good donated will provide participants with a ticket to
vote for their favorite chili /soup (People’s Choice). The more items you donate, the more
votes you may cast, so empty your kitchen cupboards and stock the Caring Hands Food
Pantry’s shelves!
Winners announced—6:00 p.m. The People’s Choice and other judged categories (Hot,
Mild, Unusual and Non-Chili).
How you may compete and win prizes—If you or your small group think you have what it
takes to be a Chili Cook-Off king/queen or judge, you may sign up by Wednesday, January
27 at https://sites.google.com/site/aumctasteoff/ or contact the church office at 967-2991.
All chili entrants should be delivered to the church in an appropriate crockpot with electri-
cal cord by 4:30 p.m. If your chili requires a special garnish, please provide an adequate
amount as well as a ladle for each chili/soup entered in the competition. In addition to the
People’s Choice award, each category (Hot, Mild, Unusual and Non-Chili) will have a 1st
place and Runner-Up award. Chili/soup will be scored “blindly” by our designated judges.
SOUP and
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Men’s Breakfast
Saturday January 16th
8:00 a.m.
Family Life Center
United Methodist Women UMW will not meet in January. They will resume meeting in February.
Martha Circle will not meet in January.
Abigail Circle will meet at Marla Carr’s home on January 19th at 7:00
p.m.
Purpose and Visioning Meeting
On Sunday, January 31 after the Chili/Soup Taste-Off (6:30 p.m.) we will
gather in the Sanctuary for our 6th annual Purpose and Visioning Meeting.
We will share with you the church budget and leadership structure as well as
the direction and goals for the year. You will receive a packet of information
and resources to make sure that you are “plugged in.” Everyone is invited,
and nursery is available.
PASTORAL CARE: Special thanks to our team that visits the homebound each week providing DVD’s and
words of encouragement to our members and friends who are no longer able to be at
AUMC. Few ministries are as appreciated by the recipients as much as those who take time
to visit a person whose world has grown smaller.
We have opportunities for ministry in several areas outside of the traditional church pro-
grams. The Bible speaks of spiritual gifts and encourages us to share the in the areas he has
gifted us. If God lays a burden upon your spirit to serve in an area not mentioned please
contact us and we will connect you with someone who needs your gift. Consider sending a DVD to a homebound friend or loved one. DVD’s may be purchased
for $5 each.
If you or family member would like prayer support or a hospital visit please fill out the prayer
card or call the church office (967-2991).
New Members Class
If you are interested in becoming a member of AUMC, our next 2 session class
will meet on Wednesday, January 27th and Wednesday, February 3rd from
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel, with the receiving of New Members on
Sunday, February 7th. For more information or to sign up for this class, please
contact the church office at 967-2991 or email [email protected]. Child-
care is available during the classes.
Volume 57 Issue 1 Page 10
2016 Altar Flowers Sign up at the Welcome Center to
provide altar flowers in honor or in
memory of loved ones or to celebrate
a special day in 2016.
Filing FAFSA for your college student? Tracie Pavon, a member of our church with 24 years
of financial aid experience at Simpson College, has
volunteered her expertise to help you with any
questions that you might have when filling out your
FAFSA form. You may contact her at 515-229-1824 and
she will be happy to assist you.
We need your student’s college address by February 1 to
send them a Valentine care package by February 14.
Please email your student's mailing address to Jane Burns at
[email protected], or drop it off at the church office.
If you have previously submitted your student’s college
address, please check with Jane to ensure that we have the correct address
for the 2015-2016 year.
2016 Altar Flowers Sign up at the Welcome Center or contact
Sue in the office at 967-2991 to provide
altar flowers in honor or in memory of loved
ones or to celebrate a special day in 2016.
2016 Offering Envelopes Boxed offering envelopes for 2016 will be
available at the Welcome Center on or
after January 10th. Stop by and pick one
up!
Volume 57 Issue 1 Page 11
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 to
Register Now on the right side of the E-Giving Login page. Enter
your information and create a Username and Password. You are
then asked how you would like to make your donation. Your
donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You will 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 Username 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 57 Issue 1
If you would like to receive our weekly updates via email, please go to the church website,
www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Resources tab, choose E-Newsletter Signup, enter your
email address, choose the Weekly Newsletters list, and you will begin to receive our weekly
newsletters on Thursday afternoons in your email box!
If you would like to be included on our email prayer chain list, please go to the church
website, www.altoonaumc.org, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Resources tab,
enter your email address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.
Available for iOS and Android.
