Mediapolis Sperry October 2014

Connec
A Publication of Mediapolis and Sperry United Methodist Churches.
Mediapolis
601 North Street
Mediapolis, IA 52637
8:25 AM • Sunday Worship
9:35 AM • Sunday School
10:45 AM • Sunday Worship
Sperry
11756 Sperry Road
Sperry, IA 52650
9:30 AM • Sunday Worship
10:45 AM • Sunday School
Mailing Address
PO Box 38
Mediapolis, IA 52637
Office Telephone
319.394.3131
After hours emergency
phone number: 319.394.3546
Office Hours
Tuesday—Friday
9:00 AM—4:00 PM
E-mail
Office
mepomethch@mepotelco.net
Pastor Jeff Kodis
jkodis@mepotelco.net
Claire Schmidt
cschmidt@mepotelco.net
Tracey Burgus
tburgus@mepotelco.net
Web Site
www.mepoumc.com
Facebook
http:/www.facebook.com/mepoumc
http://www.facebook.com/sperryumc
October 2014
He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed
on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed
would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself,
first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the
grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."
Mark 4:26-29
It is harvest time again and many of
our farmers are out in their fields
bringing in the fruit of their labor.
Imagine what those fields would look
like right now if farmers had not
taken the time to sow seed in the
spring. I may be stating the obvious,
but a good harvest depends on
sowing seed.
How often do we forget that simple
truth when it comes to the Kingdom
of God? The harvest that Jesus is
talking about in the parable above is
the growth, maturity, and
fruitfulness of new believers. If we
look around at the people in our
lives, in our congregations, and in the
world and don’t see people coming
to a new and vibrant faith in Jesus
Christ, then we have to ask ourselves
if we have been diligent in planting
seeds of faith. After all, a good
harvest depends on sowing seed!
So how do we go about sowing those
seeds as Christians? It is often far
more simple than we would
imagine. We often visualize sharing
our faith as sitting down with
someone (often a stranger!) and
trying to convince them that Jesus is
their Savior. Jesus describes
evangelism as a much more organic
process, with God doing the bulk of
the work and His people participating
by planting seeds.
We plant these seeds in a variety of
ways - offering up an act of kindness
or self-giving service in Jesus’ name,
sharing the love of God in a tangible
way, telling someone about our faith
experience, telling someone we are
praying for them during a tough
time, inviting someone to join us for
worship or a church event - in all
these ways, we are planting seeds.
Look around at the mission field that
God has placed you in: your family,
your friends, your coworkers, and
your community. Is the field ready
for a harvest or is the field waiting
for seed? God gives us opportunities
each day to share the love of God
with others. My prayer is that we
can eagerly take advantage of those
opportunities to sow a seed of faith
in someone’s life!
In His Service,
Jeff
r
o
t
s
Pa
Pastor Jeff Kodis
This Month...
World Communion Sunday
Breakfast by the Boys
will be celebrated
on Sunday, October 5th
Sunday, October 19
8:30-9:30 am
Sperry Fellowship Hall
Everyone is welcome!
th
Care & Share Card Ministry
Monday, October 20th
1:00 PM
Rita Cortum’s home
Jr High (6th-8th)
Mediapolis
Community
Youth Group
Deb Gordon, Sr High Director
319-759-3868 | mcygsr@gmail.com
Jenny McGhee, Jr High Director
319-752-7008 | mcygjr@gmail.com
Wed (10/1): 6:15-7:45 PM—Youth
Group @ Lutheran Church
Sat (10/4): 7:00 AM—12:1 Run @
Harmony Bible Church
Wed (10/8): 6:15-7:45 PM—Youth
Group @ Lutheran Church
Wed (10/15): 6:15-7:45 PM—
Youth Group @ Lutheran Church
Wed (10/22): 6:15-7:45 PM—
Youth Group @ Lutheran Church
Fri (10/24): 5-7 PM—Tailgating @
Mediapolis Middle School recess
area
Wed (10/29): 6:15-7:45 PM—
Service Project @ Presbyterian
Church
Mediapolis Community
Youth Group
Sr High
Fri (10/3): 9:30-11:00 PM—5th
Quarter @ Youth Lounge
Sat (10/4): 5:00-6:00 PM—
Saturday Night Alive @ Mepo
Methodist Church; 6:00-7:00PM—
Open Lounge @ Presbyterian
Church
Sat (10/18): 5:00-7:00 PM—Flag
Football & Bonfire @ Keitzer’s
Fri (10/24): 9:30-11:00 PM—5th
Quarter @ Youth Lounge
Sat (10/25): 6:00-10:00 PM—
Murder Mystery @ Presbyterian
Church
Small Group Cubes meet weekly and bimonthly.
If you are interested, please contact Deb Gordon at
mcygsr@gmail.com or by text at 319-759-3868.
http://www.facebook.com/mepoumc
http://www.facebook.com/sperryumc
@ www.mepoumc.com
Bulletin:
Wednesdays at noon
Newsletter:
20 of each month
th
PAGE 2
C O NNE C T
OCTOBER 2014
Friday, October 17th
5:00—9:00 PM
Sperry Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
A night away for parents while
the kids enjoy the food, crafts
and a lesson.
Claire Schmidt
Space is limited. You may call the
church office beginning October 7th
at 394-3131 x307 to register your child(ren).
Director of Family Ministries
The end of the summer has been
a busy time of the year for the
Family and Children Ministries.
Family Ministries put on their first
event with an end of the summer
Treasure Hunt at Big Hollow in
August. Even though it ended up
being one of the hottest days of
the year, families were able to
spend time together finding
treasure in the Lord. The Family
Ministries team is working hard
on its next event this fall, be on
the
lookout
for
more
information!
October Schedule
Oct. 1st
Oct. 8th
Oct. 15th
Oct. 22nd
Oct. 29th
Bring a Friend and get Double Points!
Uniform Inspection Night
Parents’ Night- Come experience club!
Awana Store
Dress up night! What do you want to be when you grow up?
Sunday School and Awana have
started and we look forward to
how this year will touch the lives
of the children and families not
only in our congregations but in
our community. Awana continues
to be an important outreach in
our community. This year Awana
serves 3 year olds through 5th
grade (6th grade now attends
Youth Group). So far, we have
averaged 80 clubbers per night
and have a little over 50
volunteers serving on Wednesday
nights. We can’t wait to see
where this year leads our
clubbers and volunteers!
Join us at
Sunday School
Sundays 9:35 AM
@ Mediapolis UMC
Classes for everyone
PreK thru Adult
Nursery is available upon request.
Sundays 10:45 AM
@ Sperry UMC
Adult Small Group
Claire
OCTOBER 2014
C O NNE C T
PAGE 3
OCTOBER BIBLE READING PLAN
This Bible reading schedule is thematic or connective in nature. The goal is to make as many associations as
possible between the different parts of Scripture while still reading individual books of the Bible from start to
finish. Only the Psalms are not read in consecutive order. The Psalms are individually apportioned
throughout the year to increase the number of connections that can be observed and appreciated.
Oct 1 Jeremiah 11-13;
Hebrews 1
Oct 2 Jeremiah 14-16;
Hebrews 2
Oct 3 Jeremiah 17-18;
Psalms 35; Hebrews 3
Oct 4 Jeremiah 19-22;
Hebrews 4
Oct 5 Jeremiah 23-24;
Hebrews 5; Psalms 110
Oct 6 Ps. 75; Jeremiah 25-26;
Hebrews 6
Oct 7 Jeremiah 27-29; Hebrews 7
Oct 8 Ps. 87; Jeremiah 30-31;
Hebrews 8
Oct 9 Jeremiah 32-33; Hebrews 9
Oct 10 Jeremiah 34-35;
Hebrews 10
Oct 11 Jeremiah 36-37;
Hebrews 11
Oct 12 Jeremiah 38-40;
Hebrews 12
Oct 13 Jeremiah 41-43;
Hebrews 13
Oct 14 Jeremiah 44-45; Ps. 13;
Jeremiah 46-47
Oct 15 Ps. 123; Jeremiah 48-49
Oct 16 Jeremiah 50-51; Ps. 137
Oct 17 Jeremiah 52; Psalms 74;
Lamentations 1
Lay Visitation Ministries Updates and Information
From the Desk of Tracey Burgus
Fall weather and the prospect of
winter and the holidays are not
always joyful thoughts for those
who are prone to depression or
who are grieving a loss in their life.
In November, we will have an
opportunity to learn a bit more
about depression and grief, and
how to manage them. A class will
be held for anyone interested in
deepening their understanding of
these topics, with an emphasis on
encouraging others who are
experiencing one or both in their
personal life. Keep an eye out for
more information in the coming
weeks!
the topic of grief in various forms
are available to Lay Visitation Team
Members and anyone else who
might need them. These are
located in library at Mediapolis
Church and in the library area at
Sperry Church. Feel free to take a
copy of any of the articles found
there and share them with others.
Periodically other topics will be
added to the area and made
available
for
team
and
congregational use! Updates will be
given as the resource area grows!
Blessings!
Tracey
Some resources for personal use or
for sharing with others regarding
PAGE 4
Oct 18
Oct 19
Oct 20
Oct 21
Oct 22
Oct 23
Oct 24
Oct 25
Oct 26
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
Lamentations 2; Ps. 77
Lamentations 3; Ps. 140
Lamentations 4-5; Ps. 85
Daniel 1-2; Psalms 136
Daniel 3-4; James 1
Daniel 5-6; James 2
Daniel 7-8; James 3
Daniel 9-10; James 4
Daniel 11-12; James 5
Ezekiel 1-3; Galatians 1
Ezekiel 4-7; Galatians 2
Ezekiel 8-10; Galatians 3
Ezekiel 11-12; Galatians 4
Ezekiel 13-15; Galatians 5
MEAL MINISTRY
The purpose of our Meal Ministry
is to provide meals for families in
our congregat ion who are
recovering from an illness, surgery
or childbirth. If you are aware of
anyone who may need meals,
please contact the church office.
NEED PRAYER OR KNOW
SOMEONE WHO DOES?
Organized prayer teams are
available to minister to your needs.
Please contact the church office
with your prayer requests.
Please call the church office if you
or a family member will be
admitted into the hospital.
Thank You!
C O NNE C T
OCTOBER 2014
6
13
20
1:00 PM, Cortum’s
Care & Share Card
Ministry
27
5
World Communion
Sunday
12
1:00 PM, Mediapolis
Lay Servant Training
19
8:30 AM, Sperry
Breakfast by the Boys
26
1:00 PM, Mediapolis
Lay Servant Training
Mon
28
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
6:30 PM, Mediapolis
Prayer Group
7:00 PM, Mediapolis
Administrative Council
21
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
14
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
6:00 PM, Sperry
Administrative Council
7
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
3:30 PM, Prairie Ridge
Game Time
6:30 PM, Mediapolis
Prayer Group
Tue
29
6:20 PM, Mediapolis
Awana
22
6:20 PM, Mediapolis
Awana
15
6:20 PM, Mediapolis
Awana
8
2:00 PM, Sperry
UMW
6:20 PM, Mediapolis
Awana
1
6:20 PM, Mediapolis
Awana
Wed
30
23
7:00 PM, Sperry
Praise & Prayer
16
9
6:00 PM, Sperry
Prayer Group
2
Thu
31
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
24
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
17
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
5:00 PM, Sperry
Parents'’ Night Out
10
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
3
9:00 AM, Mediapolis
Seniors Exercise
Fri
Nov 1
3:00 PM, Grace UMC
Charge Conference
25
18
11
4
Sat
9:30 AM • Sunday Worship
10:45 AM • Sunday School
8:25 AM • Sunday Worship
9:35 AM • Sunday School
10:45 AM • Sunday Worship
Sun
Sperry
Mediapolis
United Methodist Church
NONPROFIT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #1
Mediapolis, IA
Mediapolis-Sperry Parish
PO Box 38
Mediapolis IA 52637
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
10/01 Dennis Breuer, Curtis Carruthers,
Bethany Hepler, Mikki Whitaker
10/02 Shiloh Bradley, Brad Lane,
Hunter Smith
10/04 Emily Borrison, Shelene Johnson,
Nate McConnell, Alex Zurmuehlen
10/05 Troy Garrison, Tim Mellinger,
Danny Sands
10/06 Diane Anderson, Susan Heiens
10/07 Lynn Hillyard
10/09 Laura Elder, Carmen Schmidt,
Justyn Wyatt
10/10 Kory Klenk
10/11 Amy Zurmuehlen
10/12 Judy Clover, Rusty Orr,
Katherine Reed
10/13 Charlotte Brown, Bud Hemphill,
Natalie Lionberger, Linda
Nichols, Brian Wyatt
10/14 Steve Cummings, Luke Steffener
10/15 Melody Manley, Catherine MillerSands, Denise Myers, Michele Orr
10/16 Brent Mellinger
10/17 Karen Hollingsworth, Josh Nelson
10/18 Emily Hollingsworth, Matt Petersen
10/19 Kathy Garrison, Joe Harris, Adam
Hutchinson, Maggie Myers
10/20 Mike Manley, Sarah Robben
10/21 Velma Keitzer
10/22 Bob Nelson, Chris Parry,
Brady Schmidt
10/23 Skyler Griffith, Sandra Harris,
Taylor Hohenthaner, Shelly Kerr,
Marsha Nollen
10/24 Tom Thomson
10/25 Kevin Johnson, Eunice Stone
10/26 Renee Hunerdosse, Drew
Zurmuehlen
10/27 Carolyn Breder, Ryan Zurmuehlen
10/30 Jeff Kerr, Kerry Renfro, Abby West,
Scott Wonderlich
10/31 Kary Manley
Meetings
Sperry UMW
Wednesday, October 8—2:00 PM.
Hostess: Mary Schultz; Lesson:
Carolyn Carter
Sperry Administrative Council
Tuesday, October 14—6:00 PM
Mediapolis Administrative
Council
Tuesday, October 28—7:00 PM
10/01 Toby & Patti Whitaker
10/05 Michael & Katie Powers
10/12 Art & Sandy Hill
10/14 Steve & Jan Cummings
10/19 Chad & Joni Myers
10/20 Craig & Connie Schmidt
Brian & Genia Wyatt
10/25 Ron & Bonnie Fromm
10/27 Ben & Renae Skelley