April 2014 Newsletter - Waukee Christian Church

Cross
Words
April, 2014
The Pastor’s Pen
Maybe it’s the trolls … or the hilarious Norwegian trading post
owner… or the powerful song, “Let it Go”, by Idina Menzel. I’m not sure.
But whatever it is, I really enjoyed watching the movie “Frozen” this past
week.
It’s a Norwegian folk tale about a fearless optimist, Anna, an extreme
mountain man, Kristoff, and a sidekick-snowman, Olaf, who set off on an epic
adventure. They are searching for Anna’s sister, Elsa, the Snow Queen. Elsa
has always been different. She was born with an exceptionally strong magical
ability to create and manipulate ice and snow. But Elsa inadvertently sends the
kingdom into an eternal winter. And I can really relate to that story this year!
2013
When Anna is accidentally injured by Elsa’s power, Anna’s heart
begins to freeze. As she becomes increasingly weaker, she learns that only an
act of true love can save her. Of course, this being a Disney film, Anna sets
off to find her true love who will kiss her back to health. Spoiler alert: that
doesn’t work (in the movie or in real life).
What does work is that Anna sacrifices herself to save her sister.
Anna dies, but her selfless act of true love brings her back to life. Yes, folks.
It’s a resurrection story. Anna is the Christ-figure and the movie ends with the
happiness of Easter morning. I loved it!
And yet, I learned something very disturbing. Frozen has come under
fire from a pair of extreme Christian radio hosts in the United States who
claim the movie is pushing a “homosexual agenda” and “pro-bestiality
message.” Really???? I can read a lot into a movie, but, frankly, that’s just
not there.
Apr 2nd
CWF 9:00 am
Lenten Soup Supper 5:45 pm
th
Apr 6
Apr 9th
Noah movie after service
Lenten Soup Supper 5:45 pm
WOW Meeting after Soup
Apr 13th Palm Sunday
Elders’ Mtg. after fellowship
Board Meeting 6:30 pm
th
Apr 17 Maundy Thursday Service
7:00 pm
Choir practice after service
th
Apr 20 Easter Service
I have to wonder, what is it about this movie that is so radical… so
controversial… that it would generate this kind of response? And then I
realize that what’s so scary is the idea that sacrificial-acts-of-true-love (like
Jesus’ death and resurrection) is real. The Easter message, whether found in
scripture or on the big screen, is often more than we can take in – even for us
Christians. Remember, the first words the women heard at the empty tomb
was, “Be not afraid.” New life, and second chances, and freedom, and grace
are very scary.
I pray the Easter message is one that you can recognize and embrace.
And that little bit of fear you have whispering at you in the back of your mind.
Well… Let it Go.
Blessings,
Pastor Sue
29043 T Avenue, P.O. Box 278
Phone: 515-987-4937
www.waukeechristianchurch@msn.com
Cross
Words
April, 2014
s
Knit Wits meet at the church every
Tuesday morning at 9:30 am. They
make many beautiful items and
welcome anyone to join their fun group.
Cash donations or donations of 3-4
skeins of yarn of one color are also
needed.
7:00 p.m.
Remember - God
gets the last laugh!
Bring your funny bone
- and your best jokes to worship on April
27th. We'll all share in
God's joy of Easter!
Cecilee Lewis will
host CWF on April 2nd
at the Church at 9AM.
All ladies are
welcome are to attend.
Shawn O’Hern, a friend of the Keller
family, has been deployed to Kosovo.
His mailing address is:
SPC Shawn O’Hern
Taskforce AVN
APO AE09340
A basket has been placed in
Fellowship Hall to collect items to send
to the troops stationed in Kosovo. A list
of items requested by the troops is on the
table next to the collection basket. Boxes
will be sent periodically. If you would
like more suggestions or information,
please contact the Keller family.
Thanks for your support!
Visual reminders bring life and add realism to our daily
experiences. To help us remember Jesus’ journey to the cross,
photographer Ken Johnson will present a colorful multimedia
program, Images of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday at 7
p.m. at Waukee Christian Church.
This is the age of reality programs, 24 hour news, Instagram,
and Facebook. Whether it’s the weather, disaster, or sports, our
world is visual. Mr. Johnson has assembled over 100 images of
beautiful works of art created over many centuries and in many
different cultures depicting the Lord’s Supper. The images help us
see the moment in new ways.
“It’s interesting to study the visions of a variety of artists in
order to get a glimpse of that Upper Room and to imagine the
expressions on the faces of the Disciples,” Ken said. “We don’t just
talk about communion; we carry out Jesus’ commandment using
communion elements that we can see, smell, touch, and taste.
Communion is reality. We participate, we experience, we feel
emotional, and we sense a divine presence. The images help develop
our mental interpretation of God’s grace.”
The public is invited to attend the program. Rev. Sue Woods
will close the service with communion open to all who wish to take
part.
Cross
Words
April, 2014
We have some
interest in a group getting
together to see the new
movie, “Noah”. We will
plan on going to
Wynnsong after church on
Sunday, April 6th.
Between The Covers book club
meets on the last Monday of the
month at 6 pm to discuss the book
of the month and enjoy table
fellowship. If you can join us, great!
The April book is “The Liars Club”
(memoir) by Mary Karr.
The Women of
Waukee will meet
at the church after the
Lenten Soup Supper on Wednesday,
April 9th. Beckie Myers will serve as
the hostess and Tammy Hardersen
will provide the lesson. All women
interested in deepening their faith,
service, and fellowship are welcome!
A Holy Land Trip is being
planned for November 3rd, 2015.
Talk to Pastor Sue or Jerry if you are
interested in this life-changing
experience!
Smile! Plans are underway
to print an updated Church
Directory. We will be using
the Church Windows
software to compile the
directory. Please let the
office know of any change
in address or contact
information.
Please let Pastor Sue
know if you are interested
or indicate your interest in
the pew registry.
Stepping Up our
Ministry
Spring is just around the corner and for many that means
NEW SHOES! WCC is collecting gently used shoes to distribute
overseas to those in need (Haiti, Honduras, and Tanzania). This
will be our major mission and fundraiser this year. The shoes
provide free inventory to people starting businesses in the
developing world, and we will receive .40 cents for every pair we
collect.
Please save your old shoes... ask your neighbors to donate
theirs... and your kids and grandkids. Mention it to your hairstylist
and coworkers. Ask them to set out a box where people can drop
off their shoes. You can bring the donated shoes to the church or
let them know someone from the church will pick them up.
We will accept ANY size and ANY style. All that is
required is that there is a sole and a mate. We hope to collect a ton
of shoes - literally! This is a great way to be in ministry and help
support our budget.
May God bless our efforts!
Cross
Words
April, 2014
Did you know that there are some
Elder materials in the church office?
They are located on the bottom shelf
of the stand next to the window.
When was the last time that you
hand-wrote a note to someone to thank
them for something that they did for you?
Or sent someone a note telling them that
you are praying for them?
It’s easier than you think! There
are a variety of cards located on the desk
in Fellowship Hall. Feel free to take and
use a card to encourage or celebrate with
someone who has been lifted up in prayer
time.
You will also find several
“invitations”. Use these to invite
someone to worship at Waukee Christian
Church.
You can also help restock the
supply by donating cards and/or stamps.
Just leave them on the desk.
With Kindest Regards,
Please help the church office keep the membership and flock
lists up-to-date. If you have moved, changed your phone number or
email address, or have children who no longer live at home and
have their own address and phone number, please notify the church
at 987-4937 or email us at:
waukeechristianchurch@msn.com
 Thank you to those who’ve remembered our troops by
donating to the military gift box.
 Thanks to Alan Finestead for baking mini loaves of bread
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The Youth will be waving palm
branches and presenting a
puppet skit during the Palm
Sunday Service. You won’t
want to miss it!
to keep in the freezer so that we have them available when
calling on visitors.
Thank you to CWF for their Sunday School contribution.
Thanks to those who planned, organized and supported the
WOW Garden Party.
Thanks to George and the men who participated in the
mission trip to the Conference Center.
Thanks to those who are learning the names of and visiting
with our new members and visitors.
Thank you to Ron Hardersen for catching mice and water
leaks!
Thank you to June Andeberg for providing storage of the
shoe drive.
Christian Church,
Thanks for letting us use the Church for my
special party. It was great and I had a very good time.
My family did a great job!
Thanks,
Charlotte Swallow
Cross
Words
April, 2014
On April 5th, 2014 at the Christian
Conference Center we are having our
Annual Congregational Gathering. Please
view this video “Jesus said GO” and then
look for some materials coming to your
congregation.
Our hope and dream is that
someone from all of our congregations
will be able to join together for some time
in worship and discernment about where
God is calling us to Go this coming year.
I’m excited to see what will rise as
at our last Congregational Gathering we
put in motion "Our Path Together" and
with that members from across the
churches gave money and their time to
build 3 new cabins, a pool, and now,
starting this coming summer, a new
Worship Center.
This years discernment will focus
on "What Jesus story is your congregation
living out in your community." Or
another way to hear that question is this,
"If Jesus were a member of your church
what ministry/ministries would he be
involved in?"
Please encourage your
Congregation/elders/board/Sunday
School class/youth group to use the
materials arriving soon to have a
conversation together. Then bring those
stories to the April 5th Congregational
Gathering at the Christian Conference
Center and lets get excited about being
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST!
Bill Spangler-Dunning
Regional Minister for the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper
Midwest
The 2014 Camp information has
arrived! Posters, descriptions of the
various camps available, and registration
forms are posted in Fellowship Hall.
Please submit the registration forms to
the office (or give them to Pastor Sue!).
Early Bird deadline is April 15th.
Disciples Men's Retreat
The Upper Midwest Disciples Men’s Retreat will be held April
11-12, 2014 at the Christian Conference Center. Check in
Friday, April 11th at 5:00 PM and dinner will be at 6:00 PM.
You will enjoy keynote speakers Tim Diebel and Bill
Spangler-Dunning. Cost is $50 per person: includes
programing, meals and lodging in cabins or $85 per person:
includes programing, meals and lodging in the lodge rooms.
Register online today by clicking on the Disciples Men
picture to the left or under Our Ministries/Registrations
tab .
Any questions email Roger Poage at
disciplesmen@hotmail.com
Youth Sunday School needs a few items!! Can you help by donating?
 “Prizes” or small gifts for boys to put in the Marketplace
 Bible Flashcards
 Camcorder and stand
 Scrapbooking punches, stamps, stickers
 Elementary-aged board games
 Veggie Tale videos
Your gift is appreciated!
Your giving is important to the future ministry of God’s church in this
place. Please give generously and with a cheerful heart.
December
January
February
Receipts
$ 13,366.00
$ 9,986.00
$ 7,555.21
Expenses
11,058.00
$ 10,949.00
13,959.14
$ 2,308.00
$ (963.00)
$ (6,403.93)
$ 10,586.64
$ 10,819.00
$ 2,817.00
Money available
for expenses
Cross
Words
April, 2014
Monthly Communion Is
Available
The Elders take
Communion once a month to
those who are homebound,
in nursing facilities or
hospitalized.
If you would like to
receive communion, please
contact Cimberly Hansen,
Elder Chair at 515-276-3145.
WHAT IS THE DANIEL PLAN?
The Daniel Plan is a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle
program founded on biblical principles and focused on The
Essentials: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus and Friends. The program
offers an innovative approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle where
people get better together by optimizing their health in each of
these life areas. Each essential supports and influences the others,
offering a practical step-by-step approach for anyone to follow.
The essentials of Faith and Friends are what we call
the “secret sauce” that makes The Daniel Plan so effective. The
program benefits are accelerated when done in a supportive
community of friends because God designed us to thrive in
relationships. We have learned that the process of getting healthy
and staying healthy relies on the support and encouragement of
friends. With the support of God and your group, you have far more
than willpower helping you to make positive changes so you can be
consistent and sustain your new healthy lifestyle.
Welcome to our newest members!
Chuck and Vicki Teas transferred
from Bluegrass Presbyterian Church in
Blue Grass, Iowa and Marilyn Dowell
transferred from West Des Moines
Christian Church.
We’re glad you are with us!
Please remember to
return your puzzle piece
to the office. We would
like to gift the puzzle
picture of our church to
the youth Sunday school.
The overarching message of The Daniel Plan is about
abundance, not deprivation, and this is why the plan is both
transformational and sustainable. The Daniel Plan teaches a stepby-step approach and offers simple ways to incorporate healthy
choices into your current lifestyle. Throughout the program you are
encouraged to rely on God’s power, and the application of
dependable biblical principles.
Anyone interested in learning more about “The Daniel
Plan” can find resources available to check out in the church
library.
Cross
Words
April, 2014
Tables for Sale!
The old tables from
Fellowship Hall are being sold for $20
each. First come, First served!
Contact Ron Hardersen for details and
to purchase yours today!
If you have been trying on Waukee
Christian Church for a while and it feels
like a great fit, you are invited to join us
on this journey of faith. Simply let
Pastor Sue know, and she will make the
arrangements.
There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall for this event. Pre-sale
tickets are available from April 7-11th so sign up soon if you wish
to attend!
Please let the church office
know about hospitalizations,
surgeries, etc. The Privacy
Act (HIPAA) limits the
notification we get from health care facilities. The church
number is 515-987-4937 and Pastor Sue can be reached at
515-577-4543.
The quarterly serving schedules are available. Please note that there have been a few
changes so review this carefully. Please let the office know if you have questions or
would like to volunteer to serve God’s church.
Reader
Call to
Worship,
Opening
Prayer,
Scripture
Elders
Offering &
Communion
Servers
Fellowship Time
Cathy Phillips
Cathy Conklin
Pat/Jack Carpe
Suzanne Koch
Duane Sindt
Jerry Woods
George Risinger
Suzanne Koch
Vivian Wilson
Kathryn Llewellyn
Sue Woods
Linda Wilcox
Cimberly Hansen
Cimberly /Cassie
Hansen
Dolores Brown
Dolores Betzold
Karen Neese
Shari Burgus
Wayne/Joyce
Breckenridge
Jason Keller
Shari Burgus
Cimberly Hansen
Cassie
Hansen
Sue Woods
Suzanne Koch
Linda Foltz
Jerry Woods
Cathy Phillips
Jan/Marc
De Jong
Shari Burgus
Cathy
Conklin
George
Risinger
George
Risinger
Linda Foltz
Cathy Conklin
Duane Sindt
Beckie Myers
Matt Hansen
Pat/Jack Carpe
Cassie
Hansen
Linda Foltz
Sue Woods
Linda Foltz
Sue Woods
Cimberly Hansen
Linda Wilcox
Cathy Conklin
Linda Foltz
Lorrie
Grandgenett
Suzanne
Koch
Zoey Koch
Tammy
Hardersen
George
Risinger
Shari Burgus
Sue Woods
Wayne/Joyce
Breckenridge
Dave/Lorrie
Grandgenett
Marlene Risinger
Cathy
Conklin
Dave
Grandgenett
Cassie
Hansen
Zoey Koch
Sue Woods
Lorrie
Grandgenett
Shari Burgus
Cathy Phillips
Jerry Woods
Audrey MacRae
Marlene Risinger
Lois Bannister
Velda Morris
Cassie
Hansen
Cassie
Hansen
Shari Burgus
Zoey Koch
Linda Foltz
George
Risinger
Ron
Hardersen
Shari Burgus
Cathy Conklin
Duane Sindt
Ron/Tammy
Hardersen
Linda Foltz
Suzanne
Koch
Jack/Pat Carpe
Matt
Hansen
Marlene
Risinger
Cassie
Hansen
Tammy
Hardersen
Sue Woods
Tammy
Hardersen
Sue Woods
Linda Wilcox
Cimberly Hansen
Linda Wilcox
Jerry Woods
Karen Neese
Cathy
Conklin
22nd
Dave
Grandgenett
Jerry
Woods
Beckie Myers
Zoey Koch
Zoey Koch
George
Risinger
Karen Neese
Sue Woods
Wayne/Joyce
Breckenridge
Pat/Jack Carpe
Suzanne Koch
Cassie
Hansen
29th
Marlene
Risinger
Cassie
Hansen
Lorrie
Grandgenett
Cassie
Hansen
Linda Foltz
George
Risinger
Suzanne Koch
Sue Woods
Jerry Woods
Cathy Phillips
George Risinger
Suzanne Koch
Vivian Wilson
Kathryn Llewellyn
Suzanne
Koch
Communion
Prep
Audio
Visual
Greeter
Youth
Greeter
Candle
Lighter
Children's
Moment
6th
Marlene
Risinger
Jerry
Woods
Tammy
Hardersen
Cassie
Hansen
Tammy
Hardersen
George
Risinger
Lorrie
Grandgenett
Shari Burgus
13th
Dolores
Betzold
Jason
Keller
Ron
Hardersen
Zoey Koch
Zoey Koch
Sue Woods
Ron
Hardersen
Shari Burgus
20th
Pat/Jack Carpe
Cassie
Hansen
Velda Morris
Cassie
Hansen
Jason Keller
George
Risinger
Tammy
Hardersen
27th
Lorrie
Grandgenett
Matt
Hansen
Cimberly
Hansen
Zoey Koch
Tammy
Hardersen
George
Risinger
4th
Pat/Jack Carpe
Jerry
Woods
George
Risinger
Cassie
Hansen
Zoey Koch
11th
Dave
Grandgenett
Jason
Keller
18th
Beckie Myers
Cassie
Hansen
Pat Carpe
Cassie
Hansen
25th
Dolores
Betzold
Matt
Hansen
Jack Carpe
1st
Marlene
Risinger
Jerry
Woods
8th
Lorrie
Grandgenett
15th
Date
Communion
Invitation
Call to Offering,
Offering Prayer,
Communion
Prayer
Nursery
Attendant
Food
Pantry
Delivery
Visiting Elders
Marlene
Risinger
Jerry Woods
Duane Sindt
Beckie
Myers
Wayne/Joyce
Breckenridge
Marlene
Risinger
Linda Wilcox
Cimberly
Hansen
APRIL
Cassie
Hansen
MAY
Suzanne Koch Zoey Koch Jason Keller
JUNE
2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
3
4
5
10
11
12
17
18
19
CWF 9:00 am
5:45 pm
9:30 am Knit Wits
69 am Sunday School 7
10 am Worship
8
5:45 pm
9:30 am Knit Wits
Noah Movie
WOW following
Soup Supper
13
14
15
Newsletter
articles due!
Elders’ Mtg. after Fellowship
6:30 pm Board Mtg.
Easter
Brunch
16
9:30 am Knit Wits
9 am Sunday School
10 am Worship
20
9
21
22
23
9:30 am Knit Wits
No Sunday School
10 am Worship
27
Laughter Sunday!
Bring your jokes!
9 am Sunday School
10 am Worship
28
29
9:30 am Knit Wits
30
Maundy
Thursday
Service 7:00 pm
Choir Practice after Service
24
25
26
Cross
Words
April, 2014
WAUKEE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
29043 T Avenue
P.O. Box 278
Waukee, Iowa 50263
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9:00 am
Sunday School for all ages
10:00 am
Worship Service
…OUR STAFF…
Pastor: Reverend Sue Woods
Admin. Assistant: Lanita Cavanaugh
… CHURCH OFFICE ...
Office Hours
Monday-Wednesday-Thursday
8:30AM – 3:30PM
Phone
Ph: (515) 987-4937
Email
waukeechristianchurch@msn.com
Website
waukeechristianchurch.com
Like us on Facebook!
Waukee Christian Church
People of the Table
Living Faith on the Edge
Living Faith on the Edge
NOTICE:
If you no longer wish to receive the WCC newsletter, please
notify the office at 515-987-4937. If you would like to receive
this newsletter electronically, send your email address to
waukeechristianchurch@msn.com. Thank you.
~ We are People of the Table ~
~Living Faith on the Edge of Waukee ~
Connecting people to each other and
the world.
Growing spiritually through the
renewing of our minds.
Honoring the Image of God in all
people.
The Waukee Christian Church Newsletter is published monthly.