HUMC news

361 N 8th Ave W 712-928-2649 Hartley IA 51346 humc@tcaexpress.net www.hartleyumc.com

Church Events

May 2016

Sundays:

9:30 am - Worship

10:30 am - Fellowship Time in the Lounge

10:45 am - Adult Sunday School in Wesley Chapel

Wednesdays:

6:00 am - Men’s Bible Study at MaeB

12:00 Noon - Women’s Prayer Group in Wesley Chapel

Thank you to all the students (Jr and Sr High) that participated in the Sunrise Service and the Easter Breakfast. Also thank you to the youth leaders, parents, and congregation who organized, helped, or donated to make both activities happen! What a joy it was to have so many willing to serve.

The Jr High Youth Group would like to thank all those who participated with the Pizza Ranch Tip Night. The response from all of you was amazing! Thank you!!

Thank you to everyone who helped with Wild Wednesday Worship this year. What a great year! The kids (and the leaders) had a lot of fun and are looking forward to Vacation Bible School. Thank you to the people who donated food, time, and talents!! It has been a joy to see God working with the children!

We want to thank you for serving at our mother’s service. I know everyone really enjoyed your baking skills. There was much talk about how good all the bars were. Thank you, Velma Holtz Family

Pastor’s Corner

Like many other people who were children living in eastern Iowa in the 1960s and 70s, I grew up watching the Dr. Max Show. The Dr. Max Show was a live children’s program that aired after school and featured Dr. Max and his sidekick, Mombo the Clown, who entertained us in between a regular line-up of cartoons. Among the cartoon characters featured on the Dr. Max show was Mr. Magoo.

If you are my age or older, you probably remember Mr. Magoo. He was an elderly character with a vision problem. His eyesight had grown dim, and he was either ignorant of the fact or too proud to admit it. He was always squinting, and because he couldn’t see very well, he was always misreading signs or misinterpreting what he thought he saw, which usually put him in dangerous or humorous situations. For instance, he might wander onto a construction site and narrowly miss getting hit by a beam or pull a lion’s tail, thinking it is a rope. He was always oblivious to the danger he had somehow avoided.

Churches can sometimes be like Mr. Magoo. They often have vision problems that they either ignore or don’t realize they have. Churches with impaired vision can come dangerously close to extinction because they don’t see the problems that threaten their existence. In the King James Version of the Bible, Proverbs 29:18 reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Most modern translations say something similar to the English Standard Version’s rendering of the verse: “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint.”

Casting off restraint may not seem as bad as perishing, but it is, because churches that cast off the restraint of a unifying vision usually perish, often long before they close the doors of the church building for the last time. A clear, concise, catalytic vision will keep a church focused on its mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ, keeping its members unified in carrying out the mission and remaining alive and relevant in the process.

Your church board has been working hard with our Healthy Church Initiative coach, Ryan Christenson, to craft a vision for our church that unify us and keep us focused on our mission. After much study and revision, the Church Board has concluded that the vision of the Hartley United Methodist Church is “to develop life-changing relationships with God and each other to impact the world.” The vision was rolled out to the congregation on Sunday, April 17, and our current preaching series is unpacking the vision so that everyone can gain a thorough understanding of it. We will be keeping this vision before you so that we can stay focused on the unique way God has called us to fulfill the mission Jesus mandated for his church. I hope you will read this vision, memorize it, ponder it often, internalize it, and make it your personal vision. I believe that if you do, you will avoid the spiritual blindness that plagues so many churches, and this church will not only survive, but it will grow and thrive and have a positive impact on the community around it.

Blessings,

Steve

Help Us Celebrate!

Graduation open house for Joel Campbell is on Sunday, May 15th, 2016 from 4:00 - 7:00

pm at the Hartley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Graduation open house for Jennifer Vander Lee is on Saturday, May 21st, 2016 from 1:00 -

4:00 pm at the Hartley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Youth Group News

Dear Hartley United Methodist Church congregation,

This past week as most of you know First Reformed Church voted to extend to me a full time position. I am

excited for that opportunity, yet saddened that I will be leaving your congregation. These three and a half

years I have been serving as your youth director have been wonderful. The amount of grace and love I

have seen from you all has been humbling. I cherish all the memories I have with you all. I look back with

happiness on my time spent working with you all. I appreciate all your help when I needed it and all your

prayers for the youth in the youth group.

The thing I want to stress more than anything is that we want to continue to build relationships with the

youth of our community. If that means meeting the same way we are currently that is what we will do. I

feel that the ministry we have done so far will not diminish and that we can continue to work together but

by different means. All youth are welcome to come and participate in all youth group activities. This

includes bible study, youth groups, power connection/Rocky Mountain high, our Kansas City mission trip,

as well as all youth group events we plan. It is my prayer and hope that we can still work together to reach

the youth of this area. The mission field is great and none of us can do it by ourselves. You are continually

in my prayers and thoughts.

With all the grace that is given me and love in my heart I write this.

Josh Vermeer

Youth Director

Contact Information: uthdirector@outlook.com Cell: 712-229-8022

Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp Applications are now available online or in the church office. Don’t forget there are scholarships available to help with costs. The United Methodist Women Group is offering a scholarship to pay up to 1/2 the cost of camp for each child that registers. And other scholarships are also available. Talk to Janelle in the office for more information.

If you are 18 years old or older, you can apply for a seasonal staff position. For more information, go to www.okobojicamp.com/staff-positions. Apply for a summer of fun and fulfillment!

Plants to Cherish Sale

A unique benefit sale for Cherish Center. Beautiful plants at low prices! We offer varieties of flowering annuals and sun & shade perennials. Starting Thursday, April 28th - June 11th on Thursdays and Fridays from 10-6 and Saturdays from 9-4. Other days and times available by appointment (712-330-8046). Location: the home of Don & Verona Chaffin, 2 miles south, 2 miles west of Milford at 2005 240th St.

Hartley United Methodist Community Christian Preschool

712-928-5665

It’s hard to believe our school year is almost over. I had a great small group of children. Our last day of Pri-mary Preschool is May 13th. This past month we talked about Jonah and the whale. The class liked the part where they threw Jonah into the water and he ended up getting swallowed by a whale. We talked about Jonah praying to God and how God helped him. We also talked about what else the whale may have swallowed and what it may have been like for Jonah in the whale. We played a game with numbered whales to work on number recognition too. To finish off the year we are doing gardening/flowers. I had different seeds for the class to look at and they tried to guess what plant would grow from them. They did pretty good at guessing. Parts of a plant and what it needs to grow was another discussion we had. We made mini greenhouses to grow our green beans and talked about the roots, leaves, and stem. I would like to thank Tarissa Smith, children’s librarian, for coming in each month and reading books to us. The children always enjoy her books, songs, fingerplays and games. Primary Preschool registration packets are ready if you know of any child who will be 3 by September. Sara Dodge, Primary Preschool Teacher

It's hard to believe we are down to less than a month to go at preschool! It has been a super year with a wonderful group of children! Some highlights of our month of April were going to visit Jackie's Floral shop! The boys and girls enjoyed all the great information Jackie told them about and especially enjoyed seeing all the beautiful flowers! Going to the elementary building on April 20th was also exciting! The boys and girls were excited to meet the teachers and principal and participate in different activities at the school. Riding the bus was really cool! On April 28th the students have invited their parents to come visit and see what they all learned about seeds. Experimenting on where to grow seeds was fun and we discovered that sponges and eggshells didn't work that well. Our last day of preschool is May 12th. Graduation will be held that evening in the church at 7:00 pm. We would love to have you come join us in celebrating the end of another great year! Kristen Thorn, Preschool Teacher

Volunteer List

Front Door Greeters: 1st Sunday: (even mo.) Darla Strait

(odd mo.) Mike & Mary Donnenwerth

2nd Sunday: (even mo.) Jim, Lori & Brenton Thomas

(odd mo.) Phil & Vella Smith

3rd Sunday: Sharlene Dodge

4th Sunday: (even mo.) Steve & Kris Byers

(odd mo.) Don & Dee Harder

5th Sunday: Dave & Janelle Patton

Communion Attendants May 1: Dave & Ruth Hobson (Elements) and Steve Byers

June 5: Ron & Cherie Sterk and Beth Burley (Elements)

Worship Attendants: 1st Sunday: Ron & Cherie Sterk

Don & Virginia Harson

2nd Sunday: Gary & Jayne Vander Lee (June - Aug.) Terry & Pam Mohni (Sept. - May)

Dave & Ruth Hobson

3rd Sunday: Dixon Schiphoff & Family

4th Sunday: Rod & Beth Burley

Randy & Rhonda Menke

5th Sunday: Larry & Brenda Espey

Ken & Lori Smith

Sound May 1: Larry Espey

8: Dave Patton

15: Dave Hobson

22: Lori Adrian

29: NEED A VOLUNTEER

Power Point May 1: Cindy Campbell

8: Beth Burley

15: Cindy Hennings

22: Jazzmyn Adrian

29: NEED A VOLUNTEER

Camera May 1: Dixon Schiphoff

8: Dave Decker

15: Jim Thomas

22: Janelle Patton

29: Cindy Hennings

** If you would like to join our team of awesome volunteers, pass the word to the office.

One of our “seasoned” volunteers will help train you.

*** We could use more hands with sound and power point.

MAY BIRTHDAYS 1 - Don Nelson, Jim Thomas

2 - Thurston Gable

3 - Judy Langley

4 - Deb Getting, Susie Getting

7 - Karen Kern

8 - Brandon Dolphin, Tonya Gellerman, Kyler Rieck,

Lori Thomas

9 - Kim Kern, Lindsay Meyer

10 - Brandon Espey

11 - Kenny Embrey, Larry Enger, Bill Rausch

12 - Josh Ahrenstorff

13 - Paige Nelson, Lila Mae Soden

15 - Sara Brigham, Darla Jacobs, Colby Vetter

17 - Brenda Vermeer

18 - Deb Rohrbaugh

19 - Don Brigham, Nick Koontz, Kim Muilenburg

21 - Gwen Christiansen

22 - Joel Campbell

24 - Ryan Flynn

25 - Traci Byers

26 - Michael Hoaglund

27 - Hunter Ahrenstorff, Megan Jordan, Derek Peters

30 - Matthew Dagel, Kirk Rozeboom

31 - Jean Larson, Janet Rozeboom

MAY ANNIVERSARIES

7 - Colton & Megan Gable

Robert & Sheila Riedemann

14 - Brent & Kim Rieck

16 - Todd & Trell Neal

22 - Jim & Mary Rons (51)

25 - John & Mary Steinbeck

Josh & Brenda Vermeer

26 - Kyle & Bethany Kolb

Rob & Heather Schmith

Easter Lilies this year were given in loving memory of:

Paul Linder from Bonnie Linder and family

Les & Margret Getting & Jerry Getting from Don &

Susie Stanley and family

Wilbert & Melva Rusch from Susan Burdick

Delbert “Bush” Westphalen and Mr. & Mrs. O.M. “Joe”

Burley from Arla Rae Westphalen and family

Fiesta Foods

Jackie’s Floral

Blessings to our

Confirmands

Paige Dagel

Ashlee DeVoss

Jayna Dolphin

Hannah Jochims

Darin Patton

Karlea Schmith

Carley Vial

Talen Wallenburg

The following is a current address for

Jordan Erick. I am sure he would love to

hear some encouraging words from his

friends back home.

Jordan Erick

Brookhaven Hospital

201 S. Garnett Rd

Tulsa, OK 74128

The Mobile Food Pantry will be at Trinity United Church of Christ on every 3rd Wednesday of the month! They would like our church’s help and are asking for 4-5 people to help arrange and distribute food. You would only need to help from 3:45-6 pm. There is a sign up sheet posted by the office door. Please consider taking a few hours out of your day to help get food to those in need. Thank you.

April Church Council Minutes

Church Council met on April 10, 2016, at 10:45 am. Those present were Lori Adrian, Ron Sterk, Dale Orthmann, Mark Dodge, Don Harder, and Steve Campbell.

Steve called the meeting to order with prayer.

March Membership Report was as follows: Baptisms – 0, Weddings – 0, Funerals – 1: Velma Holtz, Transfers In – 1: Rose Menke, Transfers Out – 0.

Treasurer’s Report was given. Motion to approve report by Dale and was seconded by Ron.

Other/Old Business: The time and talent sheets – We now have collected 29 and are also giving them to the confirmation class to fill out. Technology classes – These were tabled at the moment. We will probably offer individual training for those that express an interest in helping out with the multimedia. Staff reviews - Janitor and Secretary reviews were both completed with council chair, Lori; and pastor, Steve; and staff. Altar Stairs – Mark has some samples on the way to decide what may work best for reflection tape to the stairs. Parsonage Inspection – Inspection was completed and it was found that all of the flooring in the parsonage needs to be updated and the basement sump pump needs work. Mark is gathering further information and lining up the repairs.

New Business: DVD Sermon from 4/3/16 – Only got feedback from a few people. The feedback received was not in favor of having a sermon from the screen/satellite church. It was further discussed that those that didn’t have a problem with the screen/satellite sermon probably didn’t give feedback. Youth Leader Position – It was announced in church that First Reformed is talking about offering Josh a fulltime position. This information was just presented in a small meeting with First Reformed on Thursday. Discussion followed on how this may or may not affect the youth group here at HUMC. Another Set of Eyes – This review is due to Iowa Annual Conference. The council presented their completed reviews and will give to Janelle to compile and send to the Conference.

Council will be meeting with Ryan tomorrow night, April 11th, at 7:00 pm. Next council meeting will be May 15th at 10:45 am and with Ryan on May 16th at 7:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned with prayer.

Date Average Attendance Tithes & Offerings Weekly Budget

March 27 180 (combined) $2,872 $3,893

April 3 87 $4,721 $3,893

April 10 82 $2,014 $3,893

April 17 96 $1,969 $3,893

TOTALS $11,576 $15,572

The total for the 4 week average tithes & offerings is $-3,996 for the monthly budget.

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