Rev. Dr. Okitakoyi

Michel Lundula Pastor

Jane Rowe Administrative Assistant

901 3rd AVE SE

Le Mars, IA 51031

Phone: 712-546-4037 Fax: 712-546-5771

office@lemarsumchurch.org

Office Hours

8:30 am—4:30 pm Monday - Friday

Prayer Chain

Connect with our prayer chain by e-mailing or

calling the church office or calling Mary Laughton

at 562-6584

laughmg@frontier.com

Change of Address?

Please let us know by e-mail or phone at the

church office office@lemarsumchurch.org

546-4037 Website:

www.lemarsumchurch.org

November 2017

United Methodist Church of Le Mars

“Transforming Hearts, Minds, and Lives

by the Gracious Love of Christ”

Friends, it is evident that when making plans for the month of November, the biggest event

that pops up in our minds is “Thanksgiving.” In addition to the historical meaning of this

celebration, the term thanksgiving also refers to the act of giving thanks, or a public

acknowledgment or the celebration of divine goodness. Giving thanks to God is a simple act

that shows our dependence on God, and acknowledge what God has done.

The month of November is another good time of the year

to rewind our minds to see what God has done and be

thankful. However, due to our many commitments and

challenges of this life, sometimes it becomes easy to forget

to express our gratitude to God. There are also moments

that we feel like ignored or abandoned by God. Regardless

of all these, in his writing to the Thessalonians, the Apostle

Paul encourages us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing

and give thanks to God in all circumstances

(1Thessalonians 5:16-17).

Friends, if we rewind our mind and count what the Lord has done in our families, churches

and community, we will understand that we have a lot to be thankful to God. As we look

forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and relatives, let us also join together as the

church family to appreciate what God has done through the United Methodist Church of Le

Mars. Through our November worship services, we will commit ourselves to be thankful to

God for the Following:

* Nov. 5th: All the Saints (All Saints Sunday Service)

* Nov. 12th: Our Commitment to Church and Veterans (Commitment Sunday)

* Nov. 19th: Our Church and the community (Community Thanksgiving Service)

* Nov. 26th: For Christ our King and the end of Liturgical Year (Christ the King Sunday)

Friends, it is always a blessing to serve you and be part of your spiritual journey. Thank you

all for your love of Christ and your dedication to His church.

May you all have a Happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

“I always thank my God for YOU because of His grace given YOU in Christ Jesus. For in Him

YOU have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.” 1

Corinthians 1:4-6.

In Christ,

Pastor Lundula

Count Your Blessings and

Be Thankful

We will honor our Veterans on

Sunday Nov. 12 during the worship. If you are a Veteran, please don’t miss the worship

that day. Thank You for Your Service to

the Nation and the World.

There will be New Members Class on

Wednesday Nov. 8 from 6 to 7:15 pm in the

Fellowship Hall.

If you are interested, please contact Pastor.

This year, Will be at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ (858

7th Ave SE, Le Mars, IA ) at 4p on Sun. Nov. 19.

Commitment Sunday

Sunday Nov. 12 is our Commitment Sunday.

You will receive our Commitment Cards in the

mail. Cards will also be available in the

Fellowship Hall and the bulletins. In addition to

our weekly sermon, we will also have a short

presentation on Stewardship by Jan Henryson

from Center for Financial Education.

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing

in abundance, so that by always having enough of

everything, you may share abundantly in every

good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

November Page 2

Question to Our Church Family, “Will you be here for Christmas?” If the answer is “YES” please consider serving as a Worship Steward!

Dec. 3 10:00a Advent Candle Lighters Dec. 24 5:00p Advent Candle Lighters Dec. 10 10:00a Advent Candle Lighters Communion Servers (2) Dec. 17 10:00a Advent Candle Lighters Acolytes (2) Dec. 24 10:00a Advent Candle Lighters Audio Dec. 24 10:00a Acolytes (2) Dec. 24 7:00p Advent Candle Lighters Communion Servers (2) Please Call Church Office 546-4037 Acolytes (2) Thank You Audio

November Page 3

ADVENT: Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here By Max Lucado (Author)

4 Sessions Beginning Sun. Dec. 3

A remarkable gift can arrive in an unremarkable package. One did in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years

ago. No one expected God to come the way he did. Yet the way he came was every bit as important as the

coming itself. The manger is the message. In this four-session video Bible study, Max Lucado explores how

the One who made everything chose to make himself nothing for us. He experienced hunger and thirst. He

went through the stages of human development. He was taught to walk, stand, and wash his face. He was

completely and genuinely human. Because of Bethlehem, we no longer have marks on our record . . . just

grace. We have the promise that God is always near us, always for us, always within us—and that we have

a friend and Savior in heaven. Long after the guests have left, the carolers have gone home, and lights

have come down, these promises endure.

Session Titles: God Has a Face God Guides the Wise

Worship Works Wonders Every Heart a Manger

This year this Advent Study will be offered at two different times, one before Worship at 8:30a and one

after Worship at 11:15a. The Sundays of Advent are Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24.

Sign-up sheets are in Fellowship Hall or call the Church Office at 712-546-4037.

Journey Visits

Pumpkinland

November Page 4

United Methodist Women

Esther Circle to Host

Christmas Tea

Sun. Dec. 3

1:30 pm

Fellowship Hall

All UMCL Women & Friends Welcome

Our November Prayer

Father, help us to be a transforming Church by the

gracious love of Christ. We pray that through the

power of the Holy Spirit, you guide us to be

disciples who will bring people to You. Father, hear

our prayers as we pray for those in service in the

Ministry of our Mission Team during this time of

great need. In this season of Thanksgiving, we

praise the Lord for the generous gifts of supplies

and services provided through the United Methodist

Ingathering. Protect those serving in our Military

and we pray the Holy Spirit will guide our leaders

to make good decisions. Lord, we give you all the

praise and glory. We pray this Jesus’ name.

Morning Prayer Coffee

Join us in Multi-Purpose Room

Wed. Nov. 29 @ 10:00 am

Together we Pray, offer Communion &

Fellowship

Bring a Friend!

UMW Circle Dates

Wed. Nov. 8 - Peace Circle @ 9:30 am

Thur. Nov. 9 - Esther Circle @ 1:30 pm

Thur. Nov. 9 - Priscilla Circle @ 7:15 pm

Mon. Nov. 27 Executive Board @ 9:30 am

2017 2016

January 112 81

February 134 94

March 128 132

April 186 94

May 101 101

June 92 105

July 81 112

August 116 116

September 116 103

October 121 141

Sept. Income: $ 13,803

Sept. Expenses: $ 16,624

Sept. FIF Contributions: $ 2,979

Sept. FIF Expenses: $ 8,290

Average Weekly Attendance

Christian Needs Center “We have been very busy here at the Center with food boxes this month and our pantry is starting to look a little bare.” Please see the list of needs below. “We are also doing the coats, boots and snow pants for kids this year. As of right now we have had over 50 families sign up.”

Canned Soup & Vegetables & Fruit Boxed Potatoes & Rice

Diapers Sizes 4, 5, 6

Decorating the Church

for Christmas

The church halls will be “decked

out” on Fri. Nov. 30 at 5:00 pm.

All are welcome to help!

Dear Methodist Church Family:

Thank you so much for the scholarship money. I’ve put it to good use at the University of Sioux Falls. Thank for the help in prayers as I continue my education. Sincerely, Colin Wise

November Page 5

Conformation Class Visits Synagogue