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Messenger
The
Volume 55, Issue 7
July 2021
“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”
Matthew 11:10 NRSV
First United Methodist Church—Newton, Iowa
Pastor Paul’s Ponderings
The church office will be closed people that we did not live with. BUT THIS SUMMER, we
on Monday July 5th, for the We were not to hug our can begin again to embrace what
July 4th holiday. Enjoy your extended family. We were not we were not able to do last year!
holiday weekend! We now can go fishing with
As we enter the summer the grand kids; we can go
months, this scripture keeps camping with the extended
coming to mind. “There is a family; we can roast
time for everything, and a marshmallows and hot dogs over
season for every activity the fire; we can make homemade
under the heavens: a time to ice cream; we can go and watch
be born and a time to die, a baseball or softball; we can
time to plant and a time to attend family reunions; and we
uproot, a time to kill and a can hug our families!
time to heal, a time to tear Go and enjoy what we were
down and a time to build, a unable to do last summer! But
time to weep and a time to do not forget to stop and thank
laugh, a time to mourn and a God for the wonderful gifts we
time to dance, a time to get to enjoy that were not
scatter stones and a time to available to us last year.
gather them, a time to Do not forget to continue to
embrace and a time to refrain serve God. Do not forget those
from embracing, a time to who need a little help and I
search and a time to give up, guarantee you, it will make those
a time to keep and a time to times this summer even more
throw away, a time to tear special and more blessed!
and a time to mend, a time to
be silent and a time to speak, Blessings,
a time to love and a time to Pastor Paul
hate, a time for war and a
time for peace.” “Cherish your human
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 connections: your relationships
Last summer we were in to sing in church. We were with friends and family.”
lockdown. We were urged not isolated and immobilized. We ~ First Lady Barbara Bush
to go anywhere or gather with grieved and we survived.
In-Person Worship Update
The Administrative Council has updated
its guidelines for in-person worship. The
biggest change is face masks are now
optional. Please find the latest details on
the church website (newtonfirst.org).
Live-Stream Worship
If your schedule keeps you from
attending worship, join our live-
How to Contact Us streamed worship services, devotions,
210 N 2nd Ave E, Newton IA 50208 and past services by visiting our
Telephone: (641) 792-4648 website at newtonfirst.org.
Fax: (641) 791-7213
Email: office@newtonfirst.org
Church Website: www.newtonfirst.org Home
Live Stream: www.newtonfirst.org Mission Sunday
Home Mission Sunday will be July 4th.
Office Hours This month, the Salvation Army list of
8 AM-4 PM (Monday-Thursday; Closed 12:00 Noon-1 PM) requested items includes peanut butter and
8 AM-12:00 Noon (Friday) jelly. Please put the items in the wicker
baskets at the church entrances or bring to
First United Methodist Church Staff the church office during the week. Thank
Paul Smith, Pastor you for your ongoing generosity!
Joy Osborn-Daniels, Administrative Assistant
Mel Wilson, Coordinator of Lay Ministries Finance News
Kraig Holubar, Custodian Online giving is available for donations to First United Methodist
Dorothy McFarling, Financial Secretary Church. This can be done by going to the church's website
Rachel Faidley, Director of Music and Park Centre Pianist (newtonfirst.org) and selecting the "Give" icon; on the next page
Jean Ibbotson, Organist select the "Donate"
button; and on the page
Inside This Issue "Local Church Giving,"
Pastor Paul’s Ponderings....……..…...…………….…….……..1 necessary information is
required for
Sympathies/Hospitalizations…..………..…..….....………..…...2 completion. Where it asks
In-Person Worship Update—Live-Stream Worship to select a church, select
Home Mission Sunday—Finance News Newton, First UMC
Jasper County Take Away Hunger (558065), from the list. Follow the instructions and credit card
information will be needed to complete the process. Online giving
is being made possible by the Iowa Conference of the United
July Calendar……...……...…………….….…………..……..…3
Methodist Church. When a gift is made, an email acknowledging
the gift will be sent from the Iowa Conference to the church
Special Thanks………………….…….………….….………….4 office. Please note: All online deposits are one month
Trinity Supper—I Spy with My Two Little Eyes—Mel’s Memo behind (i.e. July giving isn’t available until August 15th).
Birthdays/Anniversaries...............................................................5 In an effort to keep the congregation informed, the Finance
From the Choir Room Committee provides monthly financial reports that highlight
budgeted items, expenses, offering, and attendance. The reports
Stephen Ministry…………………..………………………........6 are available in the Welcome Center, can be picked up in the
Camp News church office, or mailed upon request.
Coloring Page…………………………………………………...7 Jasper County Take Away Hunger
The next Jasper County Take Away Hunger packaging event will
July Faithful Servants…………..………..…………….………..8 be held on Saturday, July 10th, at Holy Trinity Lutheran
Just 4 Kids (And Church-Loving Friends & Family!) Church, 1409 S 8th Ave E,
Newton. FUMC’s scheduled time is 11
AM – 12:00 noon. We are hoping to have
12 people join us in this event as we try
Sympathies to help feed the hungry. There is a fee of
Our deepest sympathies to Jeff & Connie Carmichael and family $30.00 per person for this event, but if
on the death of their daughter, Danielle Keninger; and to Jim you need help with this fee, please let the
Spain and family on the death of his wife, Judy Spain. church know. A sign-up sheet and more
information is in the Welcome Center.
We wish you an abundance of God’s peace in your loss. “Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you….Do not let your hearts be
troubled.” John 14:27 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in
Hospitalizations him. ~ Psalm 34:8 (NRSV)
None
2
2021
All events on the June calendar are subject to change by Pastor Paul or the Administrative Council.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
27 28 29 30 1 2 3
8:45 AM Worship 9:00 AM Staff Mtg
9:00 AM Radio Broadcast
(KCOB Radio 95.9 FM or 1280 AM)
10:00 AM Park Centre
Worship
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
COMMUNION OFFICE CLOSED 10:00 AM Worship Planning 9:00 AM Staff Mtg 6:30 PM Finance 11:00 AM Jasper County
8:45 AM Worship Team Mtg Committee Mtg Take Away Hunger (Holy
9:00 AM Radio Broadcast Trinity Lutheran Church)
(KCOB Radio 95.9 FM or 1280 AM)
10:00 AM Park Centre
Worship
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
8:45 AM Worship 6:30 PM Trustees 9:00 AM Staff Mtg
9:00 AM Radio Broadcast Committee Mtg
(KCOB Radio 95.9 FM or 1280 AM)
10:00 AM Park Centre
Worship
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Nina Robson, NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 9:00 AM Staff Mtg
Guest Speaker
8:45 AM Worship
9:00 AM Radio Broadcast
(KCOB Radio 95.9 FM or 1280 AM)
10:00 AM Park Centre
Worship
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Rev. Dave Crow, 9:00 AM Staff Mtg Trinity Supper
Guest Pastor (Served Curbside)
8:45 AM Worship
9:00 AM Radio Broadcast
(KCOB Radio 95.9 FM or 1280 AM)
10:00 AM Park Centre
Worship
3
Special Thanks Mel’s Memo
First United Methodist Church: Your It is so nice to see more people coming
love and heartfelt prayers continue to back to church on Sundays. The
Administrative Council has updated the
bring us comfort, peace, and strength
during this time of sorrow and loss as we guidelines for in-person worship and Mel’s
mourn, cherish memories, and honor wearing masks is now optional. It is
Danielle! Thank you for all of the cards nice to see smiling faces once again! Memo
and donations over the last 3 years and 9 months. God’s blessings Donations are being taken for the
always! July Trinity meal. They are again doing
Love, Jeff & Connie Carmichael curbside meals this month and plan to
serve indoors beginning this fall.
Trinity Supper Jasper County Take Away Hunger
is holding a meal packaging event on
FUMC is scheduled to serve at Trinity Methodist Church on Saturday, July 10th. Our usual time slot is 11 AM to 12:00 noon.
Friday, July 31st. They cannot serve There is a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center with more
meals inside their dining room, and information. The cost is $30.00 per person and this is to help
instead are providing sack meals outside cover the cost of the food packaged. Hopefully we can get a team
their church. Trinity has been serving of 12 people to participate.
around 100 meals each evening. In place When reading the article below, I was reminded when I was
of us taking a meal to them, Trinity is thinking about taking the job of Coordinator of Lay Ministries. I
asking us to provide money to purchase had people come to me about the job and said I should apply for
the food needed to serve the sack meals. it. I wasn’t sure I could do the job, but I prayed about it and
Your contributions will be greatly decided I could do it with God’s guidance. I applied for the job,
appreciated; please make your check out had an interview, and now am
to FUMC and note Trinity on your check enjoying the position.
memo and place in the box in the Welcome Center or in the This article came from the
offering plate. Thank you for your help with this ministry. May/June Upper Room and was
written by Jane Reid from Oregon.
I Spy with My Two Little Eyes… Here is a boy with five small barley
...Bill Yeager and Kraig Holubar loaves and two small fish, but how
worked on the east elevator door far will it go?
threshold to make certain the door closes ~ John 6:9 (NIV)
completely and the building is secure. I noticed a need at my new church:
Thank you! Note: If you are meeting in a choir to lead congregational hymn
the church, please make sure the door(s) singing. Although I’ve been part of church choirs since my
close completely behind you! childhood, the idea of directing an adult choir scared me. Yet
when I mentioned the need to the elders, they asked me to
...Amazing visual displays on the altar on organize and head a choir. If I said yes, I risked failing in front of
Sunday mornings courtesy of Patty the whole church.
Dykstra. Thank you! In today’s reading, a few fish and small barley loaves, offered
by a young boy, looked foolish and inadequate compared to a
A Gentle Answer hungry multitude. However, in the hands of Jesus, everyone had
enough to eat. When I offered my limited musical skill, God
As it does this year, July 4th fell on Sunday in 1937. While made it enough to form a choir. Our congregation that used to
Pastor Eldred Johnston led worship that morning in Paulding, stumble through hymns without a choir to lead us, now sings with
Ohio, local kids set off firecrackers nearby confidence.
(restrictions were rare back then). We encounter different needs every day.
Realizing he needed to act, the pastor Sometimes we might think, Somebody
slipped outside during a hymn and found should do something about that. Maybe we
the revelers. are that somebody. Are you willing to risk
But instead of scolding or shouting, failure by stepping into a task that seems
Johnston stayed calm. “I used to enjoy impossible? The Bible is full of people who
shooting fireworks too,” he said, adding risked looking foolish and failing. Noah,
that he knew it was a fun way to celebrate. Gideon, Esther, and David all did
“But many in this town are gathered in impossible things with God’s help. And we
worship, and the noise is very distracting. can too.
All I’m asking is that you wait until Prayer: Heavenly Father, the need is
church services are over—about noon— great, and we are small. But with your help,
and then shoot firecrackers all you want.” all things are possible. In Jesus’ name, we
The pastor smiled at each youth and pray. Amen.
returned to church. A Thought to Ponder: God can multiply many small
Recounting that experience in Liberty offerings to meet the needs of many.
magazine, Johnston said he half expected to hear defiant I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe 4th of July
explosions. Instead, the kids waited respectfully until worship holiday.
was over. When conflicts loom, may we heed that example—and Mel Wilson, Coordinator of Lay Ministries
this advice from Proverbs: “A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV).
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your
heart. ~ Psalm 37:4 (NRSV) 4
July Birthdays July Anniversaries
Birthday blessings to those listed below who are Congratulations to these couples celebrating their
celebrating their special day this month! wedding anniversaries this month!
Jul 1st – Brian Butler, Gina Marshall Jul 1st – Ken Slothouber & Judie Johnston-
Jul 3rd – Grant Osby Slothouber
Jul 4th – Dorothy Sherratt Jul 2nd – Ed & Shannon Banfield, Mel & Jana Lust,
Jul 5th – Robert Eldred, Lori Hildebrand, Bruce Gary & Carol York
Yeager Jul 7th – Steve & Tina Antle, Kris & Tonia Flora
Jul 6th – Linda Gullett, Meghan Hill Jul 9th – Steve & Bonnie Herrin, Rev. Gary & Jan
Jul 7th – Parker Hammons, Wilma Kirkman, Kevin Marzolf, Matt & Abby Miller
Korte Jul 10th – Shane & Lori Griffin
Jul 8th – Dean DeHaai, Allison Graham, Betty Newel, Jeff Osby Jul 12th – Dave & Pam Kingery
Jul 9th – Marv Bunse Jul 15th – Bill & Kristi Peters
Jul 10th – Sharon Allison, Greg Helle Jul 17th – Jerry & Christine Dawson
Jul 11th – Mackenzie Baker Jul 18th – Brett & Amy Joswiak
Jul 12th – Elaine Emmack, Bill Iverson, Robert Neal, Joe Jul 22nd – Michael & Rhonda Guy
Ransom Jul 23rd – Bob & Kyla Knudson
Jul 14th – John Beck, Rhonda Carmichael, Michael Guy, Jane Jul 26th – Tyler & Whitney Baethke, Rod & Mary McCumber
Johnson, Clayton Killian, Lisa Skinner-McKinney, Elisha Jul 27th – Michael & Jenny Bell, Darrell & Gwen Gosselink
Swersie, Vicki Wright Jul 28th – Jeff & Krysten Osby, Bill & Marcilee Yeager
Jul 15th – Minniette Bucklin Jul 31st – Larry & Ann Bovenkamp
Jul 16th – Donna Farland, Bill Peters, Amanda Roberts, Angie
Smith
Jul 17th – Robbie Eldred, Shawna Forst, Rod Wright
From the Choir Room
Jul 18th – Jacob Blaha, Sarah Hanneman, Jackie Phillips, Kieran
Warning
“Music is a form of prayer uniting people everywhere.
Jul 19th – Samantha Bowser, Steve Dailey, John Paschal, Nick Transcending language, time and race-rhythm building
Smith, Joshua Yeager, Phyllis Yeutsy at a pace will transform most any place into a holy,
Jul 20th – Joli Gibbs, Rollie Markle, Jeff Veldhuizen sacred space.”
Jul 21st – Kaitlyn Barnes, Carter Robeson
Jul 22nd – Marguerite Markle, Cole Peters, Erwin Wittenberg I found this quotation recently while browsing on Pinterest. To
Jul 23rd – Ed Banfield, Rachel Faidley, Kensley Marchant me, it captures the essence of music in worship. Over the last
Jul 25th – Fred Chabot, Jody Gooch year we have been guided in worship through the beautiful
Jul 26th – Shannon Banfield, Tracy Davis, Doug Newel, Kim music that Jean provides on the piano and organ, through the
Roper, Kole Wilson songs and hymns we love, and through the generous
Jul 27th – Gerald Carpenter, Linda Madison, Phyllis Rewis contribution of time and talent by all those who have shared
Jul 28th – Al Kinrade, George Montgomery, Lexi Thomas solos or small ensembles through this past year.
Jul 29th – Dave Rorabaugh I have had many people ask when we could sing and play
Jul 30th – Nelle Riley the bells once again. With the advice of the CDC and the
Jul 31st – Madelyn Kitchin support of our Administrative Council, we will begin hearing
the music of the Chancel Choir and Jubilee Bells in the fall.
As of now, our plan is for these choirs to begin rehearsing
on Wednesday, September 8th. Jubilee Bells meets from 6
PM—6:45 PM in the west balcony of the sanctuary. We
always need more players. Ideally, each person is responsible
for between 2-3 bells. That is very doable. It gets to be quite a
challenge when our small number requires us to ask people to
play 5 or more bells. We would love to welcome new players!
The only requirement is that you have the ability to read
musical notation (that is, where your 2-3 notes lie on the staff)
and be able to count. There are lots of us ready to help!
Chancel Choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. I know
there are “shower singers” out there! We rehearse from 7 PM -
8 PM each Wednesday in the church parlor. We have a
small but mighty group and we would love to welcome you to
join us.
And so I am calling for those “lost souls of the choir”, be
you a long-standing member or someone ready for a new
challenge. Come on out and join us on September 8th!
~ Rachel Faidley, Director of Music
5
Friendly Signposts
We need friends. Friends guide us, care for us,
confront us in love, console us in times of pain.
Although we speak of “making friends,” friends
cannot be made. Friends are free gifts from God.
But God gives us the friends we need when we
need them if we fully trust in God’s love.
Friends cannot replace God. They have
limitations and weaknesses like we have. Their
love is never faultless, never complete. But in
their limitations they can be signposts on our
journey toward the unlimited and unconditional
love of God. Let’s enjoy the friends whom God has sent on our
way.
~ Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
The Sounds of Summer
Stephen Ministry When on a summer's morn I wake,
There are so many times in our lives when And open my two eyes,
we feel a bit down; however, there is a fine Out to the clear, born-singing rills
line between a blue day and a day when you My bird-like spirit flies,
don’t get out of bed. Here are some useful
tips and remember, there is nothing wrong To hear the Blackbird, Cuckoo, Thrush,
with asking for help. Your Stephen Or any bird in song;
Ministers are here for you. And common leaves that hum all day,
Shower. Not a bath, a shower. Use Without a throat or tongue.
water as hot or cold as you like. You don’t
even need to wash. Just get in under the And when time strikes the hour for sleep,
water and let it run over you for a while. Sit Back in my room alone,
on the floor if you have to. My heart has many a sweet bird’s song —
Moisturize everything. Use whatever lotion you like. And one that’s all my own.
Unscented? Dollar store lotion? Fancy 48 hour lotion that makes
you smell like a field of wildflowers? Use whatever you want, ~ W.H. Davies
and use it all over your entire dermis.
Get dressed. Put on clean, comfortable clothes.
Drink cold water. Use ice. If you want, add some mint or July Camp News
lemon for an extra boost. Please keep our campers in your thoughts and
Clean something. Doesn’t have to be anything big. prayers this month. We wish them a fun time at
Organize one drawer of a desk. Wash five dirty dishes. Do a load camp! Mail is always appreciated, so feel free
of laundry. Scrub the bathroom sink. to drop them a card or letter while they are
Blast music. Listen to something upbeat and loud, away. Please address as follows: (Name of
something that’s got lots of energy. Sing to it, dance to it, even if camper), Exceptional Persons, Camp Wesley
you can’t dance or sing. Woods, 10896 Nixon Street, Indianola, Iowa
Make food. Don’t just grab a granola bar to munch. Take 50125:
the time and make food. Even if it’s ramen. Add something Jim Liger and Colleen Wittenberg
special to it, like a soft boiled egg or some veggies. Prepare food, June 28-July 2
it tastes way better, and you’ll feel like you accomplished
something.
Make something. Write a short story or a poem, draw a
picture, color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt
something out of clay, anything artistic. Even if you don’t think
you’re good at it. Create.
Go outside. Take a walk. Sit in the grass. Look at the
clouds. Smell flowers. Put your hands in the dirt and feel the soil
against your skin.
Call someone. Call a loved one, a friend, a family member,
or someone from church. Talk to a stranger on the street. Have a
conversation and listen to someone’s voice. If you can’t bring
yourself to call, text or email or whatever, just have some social
interaction with another person. Even if you don’t say much,
listen to them. It helps. Talk to God, He is always eager to listen.
And He loves you unconditionally!
Cuddle your pets if you have them/can cuddle them. Take
pictures of them. Talk to them. Tell them how you feel, about
your favorite movie, anything.
In case nobody has told you today we love you and you are
worth your weight and then some in gold, so be kind to yourself
and most of all keep pushing on!
As we celebrate our freedom, remember those who have
fought for our rights. For more information regarding Stephen
Ministries, contact the church office or one of our Stephen
Ministers. 6
7
2021 3rd Quarter (July)
FUMC Faithful Servants
Special thanks to all who have committed to
serve the church during the month of July. If
you are unable to serve in your assigned
capacity, please let the church office know so
(And church-loving friends and family!)
the correct information is reflected in the
bulletin. Your service is greatly appreciated!
July Liturgists
July 4: Nina Robson
July 11: Tim Blount
July 18: Pat Riemenschneider
July 25: Larry Hurto
July Ushers
July 4: Calvin Holmquist, Shawn McFarling, Tori Reynolds
July 11: Calvin Holmquist, Shawn McFarling, Tori Reynolds
July 18: Calvin Holmquist, Shawn McFarling, Tori Reynolds
July 25: Calvin Holmquist, Shawn McFarling, Tori Reynolds
July Technical Engineers
July 4: Koni Bunse (P), Marv Bunse (S), Tim Blount (V)
July 11: Christine Dawson (P), Jerry Dawson (S), Koni Bunse
(V)
July 18: Christine Dawson (P), Tim Blount (S),
Kenny Skinner-Havens (V)
July 25: Koni Bunse (P), Marv Bunse (S),
Karter Prellwitz-Liebhart (V)
July Church Door Opening/Closing
July 4: Greg & Rhonda Loder and Jerry & Betty Yates
July 11: Jim Marshall and Diane Plumb
July 18: Greg & Rhonda Loder and Joy Stout
July 25: Jim Marshall and Dave Drew
July Van Maintenance
Jim Marshall
No Greeters, Van Drivers, Van Assistants, Coffee Hosts,
Coffee Fellowship, Kids Corner,
Park Centre Lay Leaders
Giving Our Best
Have you noticed that family tension tends to ratchet up as
summer progresses? As you may have
found during quarantine, bickering often
escalates as siblings and parents spend
more unstructured time together.
To be honest, I add to the problem
sometimes. After I expend energy at work,
navigate all our schedules and try to serve
my friends and community, little of my
“best” is left by day’s end. My family often gets the leftovers—
literally and figuratively.
In “Be King,” Christian musician Brian Morykon sings about
the struggles of expressing love, even to relatives: “Be gentle to
your brother/Jesus will show you how./Choose to bless your
enemies/even those that live in your house.”
Our Savior sets an example by always loving me and always
giving his best. That knowledge can help me flip things around
and find ways to give my best, not my leftovers, to the people in
my house.
~ Janna Firestone
I have said these things to you so that my
joy may be in you, and that your joy may
be complete. ~ John 15:11
8
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