Mediapolis Sperry August 2016

Connec
August 2016
A Publication of Mediapolis and Sperry United Methodist Churches.
Mediapolis
601 North Street
Mediapolis, IA 52637
8:25 AM • Sunday Worship
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
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
We are getting ready to start
Awana this fall. I remember the
first time I started helping with
Awana. I was nervous
about working with
the children. I felt I
didn’t know enough
about the bible. As I
was working with the
children on their
verses, I enjoyed
seeing the excitement in their faces
as they learned a verse. Week after
week we would learn a new verse
and their eyes would light up. Then
I started noticing something. I was
learning the verses also. God was
helping me grow in my faith as I
was helping the children learn the
bible. I still have a long way to go
E-mail
Tracey Burgus
tburgus@mepotelco.net
Toni Coates
tcoates@mepotelco.net



Web Site
www.mepoumc.com

Facebook
http:/www.facebook.com/mepoumc
http://www.facebook.com/sperryumc
If you enjoy working
with children and
want to grow in your
faith, consider
volunteering at
Awana. There are
many wonderful
volunteers who are always willing
to lend a helping hand. We can
work with your schedule. Come see
God at work.
In His Will,
Toni
Toni Coates
Director of Family Ministries
Begin Wednesday,
September 7th
Office
mepomethch@mepotelco.net
Pastor Bruce Smith
pastorbrucesmith@gmail.com
when it comes to learning the bible.
It’s meant to be a lifelong journey
where we are always growing.

For our whole
community
Classes for ages 3 yrs
thru 6th grade
Weekly Bible memory
and game time
Awards for knowing
God’s Word
Lots and lots of fun!!!
Cost for the entire year is
$20 per child if registered
by August 31st.
($25 per child after Aug. 31st)
(Family cap of $50) Payment can
be made on the first night.
Scholarships available
upon request
This Month...
Prayer Group @ Mediapolis
nd
Tuesday, August 2 and 23
6:30 PM
rd
Communion will be celebrated
on Sunday, August 7th
Prayer Group @ Sperry
Thursday, August 11th and 25th
6:00 PM
2 or More are Gathered
Thursday, August 11th
5:00 PM
61 Chophouse
Breakfast by the Boys
Sunday, August 21st
8:30-9:30 am
Sperry Fellowship Hall
Everyone is welcome!
Care & Share Card Ministry
Monday, August 15th
1:00 PM
Rita Cortum’s home
Praise & Prayer Service
Tuesday, August 30th
7:00 PM
Mediapolis UMC
Lay Visitation Ministries Updates and Information
From the Desk of Tracey Burgus
In June of this year, at Iowa Annual
Conference, we were encouraged as
United Methodist Churches to
continue to support Bishop Trimble’s
Initiative Change a Child’s Story: Give
Books, Give Time. Throughout the
2015-2016 school year, the Mediapolis
and Sperry UMCs were able to give
away just over 2,400 books to
Mediapolis Community School
students in Preschool through Fifth
grade. Statistics show that 61% of
children in poverty in America don’t
have access to children’s books in their
homes (The Campaign for Grade Level
Reading). Because they are unable to
practice the skills that they have
learned in their coursework at school,
this puts them at a disadvantage for
being able to read on grade level with
their peers by the time they are in
third grade. Statistics show that
children who are not reading at grade
level by third grade are four times
more likely to drop out of school
(Annie E. Casey Foundation). You and I
were able to impact these statistics in
PAGE 2
a positive way by putting books (4 per
student) into the hands of children.
We will continue to participate in the
Bishop’s Initiative during the 20162017 school year not only because it
was a two year commitment, but
because it is a sign of life within the
body of our churches and a specific act
of reaching out to the world around
us. Your generosity and assistance in
making last year possible was
overwhelming and I pray that we again
will be able to reach out with God’s
love to the children/families in our
community.
Please remember to take time in the
midst of crazy summer schedules to
visit friends, members of our church
family, and others who are
homebound, in assisted living, and
care centers in the area. A visit from
you can brighten their day!
Tracey
MEAL MINISTRY
The purpose of our Meal Ministry is to
provide meals for families in our
congregation 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
AUGUST 2016
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Bulletin:
Wednesdays at noon
You might have noticed my article
isn’t front and center this month.
This isn’t an editorial issue, and I
didn’t lose a coin toss; it’s by
design. Many ministries take place
within the church and the charge,
and often what needs to be shared
regarding these ministries is more
important than any monthly
encouragement I might give. After
all, our work together as part of the
body of Christ is more than my
reflection on the past month or the
month to come.
ministry, but we witness how God
is glorified through all our efforts
together. Part of that witness is in
our actions. There will be times a
call for help is placed. This is a great
opportunity to share your gifts and
graces right along with the rest of
us. Whether it has to do with
Awana (hint hint), small groups,
prayer and praise, or simply a
combined effort to celebrate
together, it’s an opportunity for all
of us to allow the Holy Spirit to
work within us and through us.
While this may be the first time I’ve Be blessed this month, and keep on
taken some steps to shuffle our
the lookout for ways we can serve
news around, it won’t be the last. It our risen Lord and Savior together.
is my prayer that as we do this, we
ce Smith
don’t necessarily “showcase” a
Pastor Bru
Newsletter:
20th of each month
Wednesday,
August 10
Air Conditioned
Serving starts
at 4:30 p.m.
Free-Will Donation
Sunday, August 21  5:00 PM
Potluck Dinner at Cartwright Park
Bring table service and a dish to
share. (Drinks will be provided)
AUGUST
Handicap Accessible
Bring your school bags along
and we will conclude with a
time of blessing for our
Children, Families, Teachers
and Administrators.
A community gathering sponsored
by the Mediapolis Area Churches
C O NNE C T
PAGE 3
Senior High (Betzina Yaley, Director)
Summer is in full swing, and while we don’t want to think about SCHOOL quite yet, it’s
not too early to be thinking about MCYG!!
**FALL KICKOFF PARTY—Sunday, August 28 @ Myers’ in Sperry. 5-9pm. Pond
swim, 9-square, Food & Fun! All 9th-12th graders are welcome! Come & bring a
friend…or TWO!!
**First 5th Quarter @ the Lounge—Friday, September 2 after the Home Football game. Lounge will be open
from 9-10:30.
**Sunday Night Alive (SNA) begins Sunday, September 4 @ Mepo Methodist. 7pm. Hang out at the Lounge
afterwards. 8-9pm. FREE SNACKS!
**Small Groups begin—Wednesday, September 7. More details to come!
**Sign up to receive MCYG texts by texting @fae770 to 81010, then follow the directions. You will receive
MCYG news & announcements as well as some encouragement along the way.
There are LOTS of exciting things planned for the upcoming MCYG Sr High year and I’m looking forward to
jumping in with you! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to call/text me @ (319)7593361.
Looking for a
way to connect
with us?
Keep connected with us
while on the move
using your Apple or Android device!
Visit our website @
www.mepoumc.com
More content is available if you set up
an account and login. To make the
sign-up process easier, please be sure
to use the email address that the
church has on file when you set up
your account.
Search for “Elexio My Church” in
the App or Play store using
www.mepoumc.com to connect.
 Church Calendar
See what’s going on this week at the
 Church Directory
church through the “Connect” link.
 Update Contact Information
 Online Contributions
 Online Contributions
An easy way to get started with online
giving and review your giving records.
 Church Directory
Connect with the church family
through this pictorial directory.
 Scripture for Sunday
Follow along with the Scripture
readings on Sunday on the “Connect”
link.
PAGE 4
C O NNE C T
AUGUST 2016
Mediapolis
Sperry
9:30 AM • Sunday Worship
10:45 AM • Sunday School
8:25 AM • Sunday Worship
10:45 AM • Sunday Worship
Mon
Sun
1
Tue
2
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
3
4
5
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
6
10
Ice Cream Social
4:30 PM, Sperry
11
2 or More are
Gathered
5:00 PM,
61 Chophouse
12
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
13
Game Time
3:30 PM,
Prairie Ridge
Prayer Group
6:30 PM, Mepo
7
Communion
8
SPRC Workshop
2:30 PM, Sperry
9
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
Prayer Group
6:00 PM, Sperry
14
21
Breakfast By
the Boys
8:30 AM, Sperry
15
Care & Share
Card Ministry
1:00 PM,
Cortum’s
16
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
22
23
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
18
Trustees
6:00 PM, Mepo
19
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
20
24
25
Prayer Group
6:00 PM, Sperry
26
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
27
Ad Council
7:00 PM, Mepo
Prayer Group
6:30 PM, Mepo
Back to School
Blessing
5:00 PM,
Cartwright Park
28
Sr High MCYG
Fall Kickoff
5:00 PM, Myers’
17
29
30
Seniors Exercise
9:00 AM, Mepo
Praise & Prayer
Service
7:00 PM, Mepo
ARK Meeting
7:00 PM, Mepo
31
AUGUST BIBLE READING PLAN
01-Aug
02-Aug
03-Aug
04-Aug
05-Aug
06-Aug
07-Aug
08-Aug
09-Aug
10-Aug
11-Aug
12-Aug
13-Aug
14-Aug
15-Aug
Psalms 57-59; Acts 21
Psalms 60-62; Acts 22
Psalms 63-65
Psalms 66-67; Acts 23
Psalms 68-69; Acts 24
Psalms 70-71; Acts 25
Psalms 72-73; Acts 26
Psalms 74-76
Psalms 77-78; Acts 27
Psalms 79-80; Acts 28
Psalms 81-83; 1 Peter 1
Psalms 84-86; 1 Peter 2
Psalms 87-88; 1 Peter 3
Psalms 89-90; 1 Peter 4
Psalms 91-93; 1 Peter 5
8/01 Patty Vance, Micah Wonderlich
8/04 Terry Hicks, Jan Strassheim
8/05 Randy Hollingsworth
8/06 Rachel Bradley, Brian DeSpain,
Tari Hillyard
8/08 Dennis Petersen
8/09 Brooke McGhee, Bill A. Myers
8/10 Bryana Klenk, Lyle McConnell,
Lynn Schaul
8/12 Lishay Allen
8/13 Brian Kling
8/14 Pam Honson, Becky Mellinger,
Alice Thie, Lynette Wagg,
Colby Whitaker
8/16 Betty Cook, Alex Edmonds,
Marcella Krouse
8/17 Molly Kasper, Tony Patterson
8/19 Melodee Kennedy
8/20 Adam Moehle
8/21 Kim Hillyard, Sharon Riepe
8/23 Cody Manley, Darrell Payne,
Chris Petersen
8/24 Ruth Jahn, Jill Klenk
8/25 Wanda Cover, Micah Smith
8/26 Rita Cortum, Stacie Whitaker
8/27 Cheryl Lieurance
8/28 Andrea Brechtel
8/29 Dylan Brader, Dave Bruegger,
Caleb Bush, Christine Laue
8/31 Sydney Brader, Zachary Hite
16-Aug
17-Aug
18-Aug
19-Aug
20-Aug
21-Aug
22-Aug
23-Aug
Psalms 94-96;
Galatians 1
Psalms 97-99;
Galatians 2
Psalms 100-102;
Galatians 3
Psalms 103-104;
Galatians 4
Psalms 105-106;
Galatians 5
Psalms 107-109;
Galatians 6
Psalms 110-112;
2 Corinthians 1
Psalms 113-115;
2 Corinthians 2
24-Aug
25-Aug
26-Aug
27-Aug
28-Aug
29-Aug
30-Aug
31-Aug
Psalms 116-118;
2 Corinthians 3
Psalm 119
2 Corinthians 4-5
Psalms 120-122;
2 Corinthians 6
Psalms 123-125;
2 Corinthians 7
Psalms 126-128;
2 Corinthians 8
Psalms 129-131;
2 Corinthians 9
Psalms 132-134;
2 Corinthians 10
Meetings
8/01 Clay & Olivia Baker
8/07 Gary & Colleen Earnest
8/08 Brady & Claire Schmidt
8/09 Darrell & Patti Payne
8/10 Everett & Judy Clover
Jeremy & Tanya Hockett
Chris & Christa Parry
Ron & Bev Vorwerk
8/14 Kevin & Erin Bush
BJ & Kendra Jahn
8/20 Jacob & Cara Schnedler
8/22 Kevin & Terri Johnson
8/26 Eddie & Susan Green
David & Lois Hollingsworth
Nathan & Natalie Steffener
Brian & Julie Wischmeier
8/29 Tim & Amy Zurmuehlen
Mediapolis Administrative
Council
Tuesday, August 16—7:00 PM.
Mediapolis Trustees
Thursday, August 18—6:00 PM.
ARK
Wednesday, August 25—7:00 PM
@ Mediapolis.