volume xxxi no. 6 june 2019are your mercies in disguise? “there is a decision that i find god is...
TRANSCRIPT
A PUBLICATION OF THE GOOD NEWS PRESS
VOLUME XXXI NO. 6 ______ ________ June 2019
Laura Story’s life was nearly perfect. She recorded an album of songs she had written and her song Indescribable was recorded by popular Christian singer Chris Tomlin and went to the top of the charts. She had married her high school sweetheart, Martin Elvington. And they had moved to Atlanta so she could become the praise and worship leader at 4,000-member Perimeter Church.
There was one way to describe the life she and Martin were living…blessed.
Then life took a turn. In the midst of a wonderful, happy life, Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thankfully, the tumor was successfully removed, but then Martin contracted meningitis while in the hospital. There were numerous complications. He survived, but lives with significant disabilities. The “blessed” life didn’t seem so blessed any longer.
In the midst of this chaos, Laura was contacted by a record company to write a praise and worship album. This was the furthest thing from her mind. On her bad days, she wanted to curse God, not praise him. On her good days, she questioned why this had happened to her young husband. She declined the offer, but was challenged by the exec when he asked, “What if God is asking you to write worship songs in the midst of your trials?” After praying about it, she felt that God was leading her to do the album. The album won a Grammy. She continued to write and perform songs while she and Martin continued to experience challenges. Laura’s song, Blessings, came during this time of struggle.
Today Laura and Martin still live in Atlanta with their three children where she continues to write praise and worship songs and lead the music at Perimeter Church. She says, “We have been truly blessed out of a circumstance that at first didn’t seem like much of a blessing at all.”
Blessings by Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering And all the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear We cry in anger when we cannot feel you near We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love As if every promise from Your Word is not enough And all the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we’d have faith to believe
When friends betray us When darkness seems to win, we know The pain reminds this heart, That this is not, this is not our home… It’s not our home
What if my greatest disappointments, Or the aching of this life, Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy. What if trials of this life, The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise? “There is a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to judge God based on our circumstances, or whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God.”
Laura Story Elvington
The Community United Presbyterian Church
is dedicated to serving God
through Jesus Christ
and our community through
worship, fellowship, education and outreach. =============================================
PUBLISHED BY
Community United Presbyterian Church
315 N. Vine St., P. O. Box 903, Hartford, IA 50118
(515-989-3426)
Email: [email protected] Web: www.hartfordupc.org
CUPC Wi-Fi Password: cupcguest
Prayer Email: [email protected] CUPC Youth Group Email: [email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Administrative Assistant: Ann Polito
Interim Pastor: Rev. Kristin Pike_______________230-6511
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Barb Mentzer_________________________________971-9775
Gloria Eckert_________________________________205-2619
MISSION COMMITTEE
Teresa McCuen_______________________________707-9184
Pam Knight__________________________________480-6107
PROPERTY & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Randy Nesler_______________989-0147 or 971-6151 (Bonnie)
Jim Richards_________________________________989-0080
CLERK of SESSION Ann Polito - 681-9519
Attendance
April 28 57
May 5 39
May 12 71
May 19 42
May 26 39
Ministries of Service-June Ushers
2 Dave & Debbie Walker
9 Janelle Watson
16 Albert & Sharon Allen
23 Roger Beaver
30 Jason & Rebecca Campbell
Greeters
2 Albert & Sharon Allen
9 Lindsey Clark
16 Michele Clarkson
23 Chuck & Gloria Eckert
30 Sophia Eckert
Fellowship
2 Michele Clarkson & Donna Hall
9 Allean DuShane & Ann Polito
16 Gloria Eckert & Heather Peacock
23 Sophia Eckert & Barb Mentzer
30 Eileen Hansen & Jamie Henrichs
Special Music
2 HYMN SING SUNDAY
9 COMMUNION
16 Hartford Trio
23 Vacation Bible School Music
30 Grace Smith
If you need to make changes, please find someone to trade with. Changes may be shared for the
bulletin by calling the church at 989-3426. Thank you!
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Vendor, craft, food, and garage sales
Lunch & Bake Sale at Masonic Lodge
Maps & public restrooms available
at Masonic Lodge
You are welcome and invited……
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019
Please celebrate this special day by
wearing RED to worship!
July Newsletter Deadline: June 15, 2019
Please forward items by email attachment to: [email protected].
Your help in observing these deadlines will be greatly appreciated!!
June 16, 2019 May God bless those who have stood
in the role of father.
DORCAS CIRCLE will meet on
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
ADOPT the BULLETIN
BOARD
Thank you to the following people who have signed up to decorate the bulletin board in the front entryway of the church! June Kathy Rodman July Rebecca Campbell August Lori Hollingsworth & Debbie Walker THANK YOU to everyone who has volunteered to help with this “creative” ministry of the church! We will all be looking forward to seeing what you design in 2019!
Prayer Group Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. CUPC Reflection Room
We have room for YOU!
When: 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Where: CUPC Fellowship Hall
Visit with friends… Bring a snack to share…
Enjoy a game of cribbage…
If you are 55 years or over, you are invited to join the fun!
If you have any questions, call Bill or Caroline McNamar 989-0149.
Spring is here and the grass is growing…
This mowing season the church has contracted to have the church yard treated regularly and mowed on a weekly basis. If you are interested in specifically helping support this expense, you may make a financial gift to help by making note with your monetary gift. Your support will be GREATLY appreciated!
CUPC Property & Finance Committee
REQUEST If anyone should notice church property that is in need of repair or replacement, please contact a member of the CUPC Property and Finance Committee with this important information. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Randy Nesler, Chairperson Jim Richards, Vice-chairperson
CUPC GIVING TREE PROJECT
Thank you to those who have provided items through the “giving tree” project! So far, the items received are: hand sanitizer, tissues, forever and postcard
stamps for the card ministry, and gift cards to McDonalds. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! All committees, organizations, groups of the church may still submit needs of the group to the church office to be added to the list. Items requested can be anything! See a need and share it!
Let’s see how we can help by giving!
If you have completed 9th grade or above and would like to join the VBS volunteer team and help put together the events for this fun filled week, please contact Heather Peacock. Please note: All volunteers working with children and youth for Summer Munch Bunch or Vacation Bible School must complete volunteer paperwork. Please contact Ann Polito if you have not already filled out the paperwork and want to help!
Check out these summer camping options!
For information on scholarship assistance through CUPC, please contact:
Barb Mentzer OR Gloria Eckert
515-971-9775 515-205-2619
Saluting those who are Serving with Pride
Marty Baumhover
Bradley Burrell
Hunter Carter
Brian Casson
Travis Cernetisch
Sam Clark
Justin Cochran
Christian Coleman
Elijah Conrey
Chuck Covell
Bobby DuBois
Christian Duncan
Seth Durham
Jesse Frederick
Chad Follis
José Carlos Garcia, Sr.
Mark Eddy
Jonathan Hicks
Darcy “Doc” Hommer
Nick Johnson
Justin Jones
Tanner Jors
Kerry Kuhn
Neil Langgaard
Adam Lawrence
Rich Lawrence, Jr.
Michael Love
John Malone
Brandon McCaughey
Jeromy McGee
Mike McGough
Scarlett Merrifield
Trenton Merrifield
Turner Merrifield
Justin Mills
Eric Morrow
Jared Newman
Claytin Piatt
Jeff Reed
Raymond Reed
Mark Roach
Allyson Scott
Joel Sheats
Tyler Simmons
Adam Snook
Jacob Sperr
James Sperr
Tommy Thompson
Nick Vanderpool
Emma Wachal
Trey Wickland
Rush Wyckoff
Please lift these military men and women and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Let there be Peace on Earth
And let it begin with me.
Please remember those currently deployed or stationed overseas:
Sam Clark
Please also remember to pray for their families for the sacrifice they make while
their loved one is serving our country.
Elijah Conrey returned from his overseas station in Japan and is now serving at his new duty station in Colorado.
Jesse Frederick returned from his deployment to Korea, Japan & Guam and is now stationed in California.
Kerry Kuhn returned from her overseas station in Japan and is now serving at her new duty station in California.
Thank you for your service to our country!
2019 CUPC Faith Scholarship
Recipient Announced
Lindsey Clark, Gabrielle Edenburn, & Ann Polito
(left to right)
With Session’s approval, the CUPC Scholarship Committee was pleased to announce and present the CUPC Faith Scholarships on Sunday, May 12, 2019, to one individual who has made faithful contributions to the ministries of our church.
Gabrielle Edenburn has been a part of CUPC since she was 6 years old. She has been involved in youth programs, such as Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Gabby has volunteered for church by helping in the nursery, assisting with Vacation Bible School and Summer Munch Bunch as well as serving at the Sr. Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner.
Gabby—It is with true joy that your church family recognizes your faithful contributions to the ministries of this church and beyond. We thank you for giving of your time and talents to God’s work in this community of faith, we will look forward to hearing about your life experiences, and we encourage you to continue to live out your faith wherever God may lead you.
CUPC Class of 2019 Honored
Esmeralda Tejeda, Seth Curry, Andrew Nelson, Gabrielle Edenburn, Brook
Moulton, Jakob Van Dam, & Isaiah Henrichs (left to right)
CUPC celebrated Graduation Sunday on May 12, 2019, with 7 soon-to-be graduates present. The honorees and their families were invited to a breakfast held prior to the worship service.
During the worship service, each individual introduced themselves and shared what their future plans were. Each was presented with a book to express the church’s congratulations on their upcoming graduation. Rev. Kristin Pike offered a blessing upon the group as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
CONGRATULATIONS, Class of 2019! May God bless your life with success!
Curry awarded $ for Scholars CUPC Endowment Scholarship
Robyn Witte, Loreesa Curry, Rebecca Campbell, Seth Curry, Rev. Kristin Pike,
Jolene Wuebker, and Erika Shetterly (left to right)
Seth Curry, son of Clint & Loreesa Curry, was awarded the $ for Scholars CUPC Endowment Scholarship at the CHS Awards Night on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
The scholarship was presented by Rev. Kristin Pike and Seth’s four aunts…Robyn Witte, Rebecca Campbell, Erika Shetterly, and Jolene Wuebker.
Noisy Collection
Sunday, June 2, 2019
April Collection: (corrected) $ 208.44
May Collection: $ 152.90
2019 Collections: $ 988.67
Goal: $1800.00
Let’s have some fun, make some noise, and
support the mission of the church!
The Noisy Collection is received on the 1st
Sunday of
each month—to benefit our General Mission Pledge.
Outreach numbers for April:
• 89 cards sent
• 174 contacts made (calls, emails, texts)
• 6 foods shared (meals, treats, etc.)
• 12 visits made
• 1 popcorn to worship visitors
Please contact Eileen Hansen (515-402-1460) to share any outreach efforts so they
may be included in the monthly report! Thank you!!
Thanks to everyone for your part in
taking care of one another.
Food Pantry Sunday
June 30, 2019
Suggested Items for June: Graham Crackers
Hair Conditioner
Hair Shampoo
Jam/Jelly
Jell-O
Thank you for contributing 72 items in April!
The goal set for 2019 is 1000 items!
The CCA Food Pantry is located at
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
1100 Market Street
Carlisle, Iowa
The pantry is open to serve families in the Carlisle
School District on the 2nd
& 4th
Tuesdays of each month
from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Thank You Thank you to everyone who contributed to One Great Hour of Sharing through Gracie’s Bake Sale, the Gracie Fish Banks, and/or the OGHS envelopes. Your gifts will make a difference. The amount received was $629.83 + $150.00 for purchases from the PCUSA Giving Catalog! The items selected were: a family of chickens, a piglet, farming tools, a water filter, & a kitchen kit.
Thank you for your generosity!
CUPC will receive and bless the Pentecost
Offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 9!
The Pentecost Offering helps our youth begin a life
with a strong start--a solid foundation of faith formed
in the years from childhood through young adulthood.
• 40% stays at CUPC to develop and support
programs for young people in our own church
and community.
• 25% supports Young Adult Volunteers serving
in communities around the world, and growing
as leaders through transformative Christian
service.
• 25% supports Ministries with Youth to help
guide our youth by uniting them in Christ and
lifting them up as leaders and messengers of
God’s word.
• 10% is devoted to children at-risk to improve
education and provide safe havens.
Our congregation is joining the whole church in
building for our future, in building individual lives of
faith.
IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT.
Have you tried Don Justo Coffee? Don Justo Coffee with Dignity is the coffee project that was started in 2002 for the sole purpose of generating funds for the Our Sister Parish mission of the Presbytery of Des Moines in Berlín, Usulután, El Salvador. When you purchase this coffee YOU are part of that ministry!
If you would like to place an order, please contact Ann Polito in the church office!
BLUE SHIRT SUNDAY is June 16, 2019!
Time to put on your BLUE SHIRT for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance! Gifts may be made through CUPC for any of these projects!
The Mission & Outreach Committee is looking for assistance in organizing the Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner coming in November. If you are in the “under 60” population, please consider helping in this way and contact Teresa McCuen or Pam Knight to offer your help!
A Prayer of Sympathy and Faith
for the family and friends of:
Ron Dennis
Dean Downing
Stan Faller
John Herron
Hillary Holman
Marie Kirby
Bill Lingle
Miles Ohnemus
Jean Schrunk
Gary Wilkinson
In the love of God,
may you find strength and peace.
In the prayers of friends,
may you find comfort and love.
CUPC has TWO Email Addresses
Please make note that CUPC has two email addresses:
[email protected] This address is used for church announcements, newsletter,
and general information.
[email protected] This address is used for prayer requests.
If you would like to be added to either or BOTH of these email groups, please send an email making that request.
Splinters from the Board
Splinters from the Board – May 20, 2019
A summary of the meeting follows:
• Announced Blue Shirt Sunday for Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance will be observed on June
16 with offering being received on June 16 &
23
• Announced Red Shirt Sunday will be observed
on June 9 for Pentecost
• Approved ¾-time pastor with part-time
administrative assistant model for CUPC based
on Session meeting discussion and straw poll
results at congregational gathering
• Approved walker donation
• Confirmed email approval: Church Usage:
o Allean DuShane—Baby Shower on
May 10
o Hartford Alumni Association—Alumni
Reunion on June 1
o Rebecca Campbell—Family Dinner on
May 12
• Received report of Interim Pastor from April 23
through May 20
• Reported 19 college care packages
sent/delivered
• Reported 25 local seniors invited to Graduation
Sunday with reservations from 7
• Reported a gift card will be given for lawn
mowing being done for a church member
• Reported average attendance for April was 60
• Reported Bible marker project complete
• Reported bulletin board schedule for 2019 is
complete
• Reported CCA Food Pantry items received in
April was 72
• Reported CCLI Copyright License has been
renewed through 4/30/19
• Reported Communion served to 56 of 60
present on April 14 (Palm Sunday) and 34 of
34 present on April 18 (Maundy Thursday)
• Reported discussion of CUPC representation
from Mission/Outreach & Christian Ed
committees at Freedom for Youth event on
June 6
• Reported electrical issue in restrooms in west
fellowship hall have been resolved
• Reported Gloria Eckert & Barb Mentzer are
being trained for soundroom duties with
Danika Mentzer assisting
• Reported ites received through CUPC Giving
Tree project
• Reported Lent/Holy Week wrap up information
• Reported no military care packages sent due to
military personnel serving on US soil
• Reported Noisy Collection for April was
$208.44 (corrected amount) and $152.90 for
May
• Reported OGHS Offering received was
$629.83 (including $240.00 from Gracie’s
Bake Sale
• Reported Outreach for April: 89 cards, 174
contacts, 6 food, 12 visits & 1 popcorn to
visitor
• Reported PCUSA Giving Catalog purchases of
$150.00 have been selected
• Reported voting membership of 90 and
associate membership of 219
• Rescheduled June Session meeting to June 24
and cancelled July Session meeting
April, 2019
Income 14,600.88$
Expenses 9,141.22$
Account Balances
60 Month CD 2,692.86$
Bracy H Hammond Youth Fund 2,329.71$
General Fund 6,650.50$
JAM Session 1,067.44$
Memorial Fund* 5,801.74$
Savings-General 25,490.80$
Scholarship Fund* 7,731.95$
Youth Fund* 633.28$
*Included in Savings-General
The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 24,
2019, at 6:30 p.m.
June 2019 Elder of the Month: Pam Knight
June 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
* Committee Meetings
10:30 a.m. Mission/Outreach Comm Mtg (Fellowship Hall)
Property/Finance Comm Mtg (Fellowship Hall)
1
Reserved: Hartford Alumni Assn
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
2
Noisy Collection
10:30 am PNC Meeting
3
4
2:00 pm Prayer Group
5
6
7 1:30pm Senior Citizens
8
9 *
Pentecost Communion
10
11
2:00 pm Prayer Group 6:30 pm SMB Meeting
12
13 6:30 pm WAC Meeting
14
15 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
16
17
Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.
18 2:00 pm Prayer Group
Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.
19 1:30 pm Dorcas Circle
Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.
20
Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.
21 1:30pm Senior Citizens
22
23
24 6:30 pm Session Mtg
25
2:00 pm Prayer Group
26 12:00 – 2:00 pm
SUMMER MUNCH BUNCH
27
28
29
30 Food Pantry Sunday
Sunday Worship Schedule: Worship at 9:00a ~~ Fellowship at 10:00am
COMMUNITY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 903 Hartford, IA 50118
Please join us for…
CAMP JESUS- Finding Our Way in the Wilderness!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 17 - 20, 2019
JANUARY JUNE
1 Raylan Johannes; Rowan Johannes; Jeff Menke
2 Uriah Breuklander; Matthew Edwards; Pat Griffin;
Caroline McNamar; Debbie Walker
3 Michelle Oakley; Michael Shetterly
Chris & Megan Walker, Anniversary
4 Pat & Deb Griffin, Anniversary
Lewey & Ann Polito, Anniversary
6 Zachary DuShane; Ron Smith
7 Seth Curry; Marlie Frederick; Mary Kate Wilkson
8 Malik Abalo; Hayden Barton; Jonathan Rutledge
Stanley & Liz Overstake, Anniversary
10 John Marco
11 Tracy Arpy; Madonna Jack; Scott Robinson; Ruth Willis
12 Doug Buchanan; Donald Wiley
Ryan & Brianne Sears, Anniversary
13 Aurora Lamb; Tyler & Cheyanne Prall, Anniversary
14 Dennis Buchanan; Kendra Pedicini
Denny & Michelle Oakley, Anniversary
15 Lisa Shelton-Smith; Brian & Karen Black, Anniversary
17 Trenton Noble; Ann Polito; Bryan Rawson
19 Sean Rodman; Christopher Walker
21 Ashley Booker; Mark Goldsberry; Traci McCaughey
Garth Oakley; Lewey Polito; Ruth Thornburg
22 Brandon Beckmann; Jennifer Blackmon; Heather Tucker
23 Danyel Drake; Josh Edenburn; Morgan Edenburn
Cord Erickson
24 Mick & Leah Sheehey, Anniversary
25 Paul Hansen; Steve Maxwell, Jr.; Brad Witte
26 Lonnie Goode
27 Zachary VanSickle
28 Sharon Allen; Daphne Hayes-Mentzer
29 Natalie Broich; Rick Marble; Jeff Rodman
30 Leah Drake; Dennis & Kim Duncan, Anniversary
Larry & Dora McCaughey, Anniversary
Please contact Ann Polito at 681-9519 with birthdays or anniversaries to add or correct.
Thank you.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES