United Methodist News - Listening for the Spirit: God on a Donkey
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April 2023
Issue 4
United Methodist News
Listening for the Spirit: God on a Donkey
On April 2, we celebrate Palm Sunday. It feels almost like April
Fool’s Day gets a repeat as God in the flesh, Jesus, borrows a donkey to
ride into Jerusalem. Such a lowly animal. Such a humble beast of burden. Jesus is
going into Jerusalem knowing that his death is coming, but first, he needs a donkey.
Jesus, who has walked everywhere for years, suddenly requests a ride. He doesn’t ask
for a war horse, a cart, or a chariot. Rather, he rides as the prophet Zechariah foretold,
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king
comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt,
the foal of a donkey.” (9:9) Jesus comes into town like the victorious king expected from
ages past. There is an impromptu party and shouting in the streets.
Here’s the unexpected twist, Jesus knows a cross is waiting for him, still he rides
the donkey. He knows the crow will betray him, still he receives their praises. He knows
he will be betrayed and suffer, but he rides into town like the victor. God on a donkey.
God in the moment. God partying with his people, knowing how very twisted their hearts
were.
How far does God’s love go? He receives the praises of his people, flawed though
they are. He comes all the way to earth, all the way to a donkey on crowded streets. He
becomes utterly ridiculous – a king on a donkey heading to a criminal’s death. What
wondrous love is this, indeed, that God visits us in all of our messes. Thanks be to God!
~Pastor Vicki
EASTER LILIES
Lilies represent rebirth and hope,
just as the resurrection of Jesus does!
There is still a limited time to order your lily for
display in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday.
Lilies are $15. Sign up in the Narthex or by
calling the church (712-336-3115)
Ruth: Finding God Faithful when You Feel Insecure and Uncertain
Join us for a 5 Week study of the book of Ruth
Even if your life has changed, God has not.
The book of Ruth has it all: tragedy, a love story, adversity and …
*spoiler alert* ... a happy ending. It’s like your favorite novel or movie.
You get caught up in the plot, attached to the characters, and can’t wait to
see how it turns out.
But perhaps the most striking aspect of the book of Ruth is how very human it is. The story opens with
two women who faced an uncertain future and unavoidable struggles. Just like us, they had to navigate
the challenges of everyday life, while wondering if the Lord cared about what they were experiencing.
In their most trying moments, they couldn’t see God working behind the scenes. But as we read their
story in this study, we learn He was there all along. And we can live with that same assurance for our
lives as well.
Thursdays at 2:00 PM
April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11
Study Guide available for $16. Let Tammy know if you would like one.
SIGN UP to help build water
purification devices!
FRIDAY, 4/28 and SATURDAY, 4/29
at Wesley Place
This is a project brought to you
by our Missions Ministry Team and
Please plan to join us the Batterns who shared during a
as we celebrate a
service a while back. Here is
number of young
people who are ready what the process looks like.
to confess their faith Finished units will be sent overseas
and join the church. to provide safe drinking water.
APRIL 16
Do you sing? Even if it is just
Reception with cake at in the shower, come join the
9:30 choir!!
Confirmation and
Baptisms at 10:30 Choir sings Sunday mornings
at 8:30am
Wednesdays 6:30pm
4/12= new practice time
NEWS from M.A.C—The Ministry Advisory Council
Our mission—and, yes, we’ve chosen to accept it,
is to guide our church through the Pastoral
transition process.
We are NOT keeping things
With a lot of prayer and the help of our District
Superintendent, Michel, M.A.C. has worked with
Pastor Vicki on her plans to move. We’ve spent time
talking with you about what we hope for in our new
Pastor and completed a profile with our District Here’s what you should know:
Superintendent. We made plans for a formal C.A.T.
survey to continue gathering information that will be 1. Pastor Vicki and her family are moving to
useful for our future as a church under new leader- lead the United Methodist Church of Mt.
ship. We are now beginning the work of preparing a Vernon, IA.
plan for bringing in the new Pastor. 2. Pastor Vicki wraps up here by about Annual
Conference time in early to mid June.
THIS IS MISSION POSSIBLE!
3. We do not know our new Pastor’s name yet.
You will know as soon as we do! In fact, the
announcement will be made in his/her church
the same day we are able to make it in our
church.
WE 4. The new Pastor will officially begin here on
July 1.
FEW “NEXT STEPS”
Complete the Congregational Assessment Tool (C.A.T.) A letter, emails and
information during services will help you.
District Superintendent, Michel, and the Bishop with the Appointive Cabinet
will select the next pastor
M.A.C will be introduced to the new pastor. If that introduction goes well, an
announcement will be made on a Sunday morning
Please be a S PECIAL AGENT of God and pray for MAC
Barb Erlandson (Chair), Lori Bower, Rob Cunningham, Robin
Gardner, Brad Holtz, Carol Larson, Jill Longest, Marilyn
Reno, and Caroline Tritle
APRIL 2023
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
11:30
Meals on Wheels delivery this month! Funeral
Roger Jones
2 Communion 3 4 5 6 7 8
Palms & Potluck 6:30 Holy 6:30 Good
9:30 Sunday 5:00 choir Thursday Friday
School—egg hunt/ 5:30 Wonderful Service w/ Service
Coffee Time Wednesday communion
10:30 Family Meal
6:00 Kid’s Club,
Worship w/palms 6:30 Disciple III Youth
11:30 Potluck at Class
activities &
Wesley Place
Confirmation
9 EASTER Sunday 10 11 12 13 14 15
8:30 Traditional
Worship 5:30 LAST
6:00 pm Ministry Wonderful
9:30 Coffee Time Advisory Council 2:00
10:30 (MAC) Wednesday
Women’s
Contemporary Catered Bible Study
Worship with 6:30 LAST Chicken Meal
baptism
Disciple III Class 6:30 choir
(At Pizza Ranch)
16 Confirmation 17 18 19 20 21 22
8:30 Traditional Deb is gone Deb is gone Vicki is gone Vicki is gone
Vicki is gone
Worship
9:30 Sunday 2:00
School /Coffee Women’s
Time with cake f 5:30 pm Education
6:30 choir Bible Study
10:30
Contemporary
Worship w/ baptism
11:30 Coffee Time
23 Vicki is gone 24 25 26 27 28 29
Karen Schwaller Vicki is gone Vicki is gone S.W.I.M. S.W.I.M.
speaks
8:30 Traditional
2:00
Worship
Women’s
9:30 Sunday Bible Study
School/ Coffee 5:30 pm Missions 6:30 choir
Time
10:30
Contemporary
Worship
11:30 Coffee Time
30 Graduate
Recognition
8:30 Traditional April BIRTHDAYS
Worship
9:30 Sunday
School/ Coffee
Time with 4/6 Sonja Bruns, Shirley Olson
cupcakes for
4/8 Carla McClure
graduates
10:30 4/22 Gail Vanderzwaag
Contemporary 4/23 Rod Bovee
Worship
11:30 Coffee Time
Spirit Lake United Methodist Church
1812 Gary Ave
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360
Phone: 712-336-3115
E-mail: office@spiritlakeumc.org
Website: www.spiritlakeumc.org
Making Disciples, Making a Difference!
Church Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:00
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