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The Grace Church Visitor Grace United Methodist Church JANUARY 2020 P.O. Box 67, 624 Elm Ave. Vol. 71 No. 7

Story City, IA 50248-0067

515-733-4712 www.grace-umc.com

Rev. Jonathan Cooney, Ph.D. Cathy Hermanson, Secretary jonathan.cooney07@gmail.com office@grace-umc.com

Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“It Happened in a Stable” at Grace

Picture shared by Sharla Mander,

The Visitor is a monthly publication of Grace UMC, Story City.

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*submit news to be published in The Visitor…

Mail us the information Grace UMC; 624 Elm Ave.

P.O. Box 67 OR call us

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What’s Inside

Page 2 – Jan. Birthdays Jan. Lectionary Readings, From Our Pastor Page 3 – Jan. Volunteers, Vision 2023, “De-stablizing”, Trivia Page 4 – Symapthy, Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness, UMW News, Thanks, Brunch, 3rd Sunday Brunch, FYI Page 5 – Wheelchair Ministry, Angel Tree, Adult Study, Poinsettias Page 6 – Pictures of Grace – December decorating Page 7 – Pictures of Grace – L&F, Advent families, Christmas Eve, 29th Page 8 – Pictures of Grace – “It Happened in a Stable” Page 9 – Endowment Article Page 10 – January Calendar of Events

= od’s iches t hrist’s xpense

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January Birthdays

Brayden Lester 1-1 Brian Richardson 1-3 Braylen Loots 1-3 Gabrielle Tesdall 1-4 Susan Bohner 1-4 John Barclay 1-4 Tepricia Reeder 1-5 Bruce Miskell 1-7 Alyssa Loots 1-10 Caitlin Mander 1-13 Loretta Parker 1-15 Lois Johnson 1-15 Marcia Hofsommer 1-16 Ashley Miller 1-19 Helen Caruth 1-20 Owen Sampson 1-21 Candi Holm 1-21 Laila Tesdall 1-24 Sharene Lykins 1-27 Amanda Hofsommer 1-28 Colton Gregori 1-29 Corinne Brown 1-30 Christine Blue 1-30

If we’re missing a birthday please accept our apologies and let us know so we can update our records!

January Lectionary

January 6 Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

January 13 Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29;

Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 20 Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10;

1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11

January 27 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21

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Deadline for submitting Visitor information is the 20th of each month. Information for the weekly bulletin and This Week at Grace is due in the office by noon on Wednesdays.

From Our Pastor

January 2020

Usually I approach the beginning of the year thinking about the service of baptismal renewal (United Methodist Hymnal #50) or John Wesley's Covenant Prayer (UMH #607). This year I am reflecting on a prayer from the Roman Catholic tradition. It is attributed to Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471), the author of the highly influential book The Imitation of Christ. In that book, he encourages Christians to imitate Christ as their model by turning away from worldly matters and truly seeking to live inwardly and spiritually. It means surrender to and dependence on God.

Thomas á Kempis writes:

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know, to love what I ought to love, to praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in thy sight, to hate what is offensive to thee. Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight of my eyes, nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men; but to discern with a true judgment between things visible and spiritual, and above all, always to enquire what is the good pleasure of thy will.

Your servant for Christ's sake,

Jonathan Don’t Stop Me If You've Heard This Dept.

"I belong to a gym now. Well, let me rephrase that: I don't belong there at all, but I go."

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G.R.A.C.E. Teams

Mark & Cathy Hermanson, chair David & Becky Barclay, Rod & Sue Bohner, Sara Dappen, David & Marlene Doolittle, Doug Doolittle, Shirley Frandson, Cathy & Greg Gerjets, Terry Gustason, Rhonda Hampton, Jim & Shelley Hassebrock, Matt & Amber Hoskins, Jenna Hoskins, George Janvrin, Jane Jackson/Fred Larson, Casey Kahl, Dylan Kahl, David & Mary Loupee, Sharene Lykins, Chuck & Ruby Matheason, Norm & Cindy Spurlock, Tim & Kim Tryon, Rick & Grace Welke, Lon & Beckey Witthuhn

Vision 2032

What will the church be like in 2032? Vision 2032: All In

We are invited to meet with Iowa Bishop Laurie Haller and United Methodists from throughout our

state right here at Grace Saturday, January 11, at 10 a.m. to talk about

the church in 2032. 2032? Well, that's only twelve years away now. Time moves so quickly these days. The church of Christ is always responding to the changing world around it. Sometimes we are aware of what's going on. Other times we don't see the changes until they've occurred. In November the bishop toured Iowa and spoke about what people think the church will be like in the near future: relationships will be more important; innovation, creativity, and imagination will be more important; and the primary focus will be on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The conference staff has gathered up thoughts and ideas collected from across the conference and will share them during this next round of meetings. Grace UMC is honored to be asked to host this gathering. Please come and share an hour-and-a-half or so with us. We are doing so well; surely God has even greater things in mind for us.

January Volunteers

Sunday, January 5 Epiphany Sunday

Liturgist – Kurt Carlson Greeters – Amber, Jenna, Isabel Hoskins Ushers – David & Mary Loupee, Grace & Rick Welke

Sunday, January 12

Liturgist – Gloria Sampson Greeters – Tim & Kim Tryon Ushers – Doug Doolittle, George Janvrin Jim & Shelley Hassebrock

Sunday, January 19

Liturgist – Cathy Hermanson Greeters – Mark & Cora Hermanson Ushers – David & Becky Barclay Terry Gustason

Sunday Brunch – Clean Up: Dave & Marlene Doolittle 1 can Folger’s coffee: Rhonda Hampton 1 gal 1% milk: Dave & Becky Barclay 2 gal. orange juice: Hoskins & Hermanson

Sunday, January 26

Liturgist – Claudia Pauk Greeters – Rod & Sue Bohner Beckey & Jori Witthuhn Ushers – Doug Doolittle, Tim Tryon David & Mary Loupee

Bulletin folding/Newsletter fold & mail – help requested

‘De-stablizing’ the Sanctuary for 2020

You are invited to come help take down the stable and all of the holiday finery in the sanctuary on Sunday, January 5th following the worship service. We need a bigger group

to help with this as it involves not only taking down decorations, but also dismantling and putting the tree away. Garlands and Nativity sets will also need to be put away.

Trivia Night in Story City!

The Story City EDC is hosting a Trivia Night on Friday, January 18th at 5:45 (doors open at 6:00) at the Story City Community Center. We’d like to get a team or two together to represent Grace Church.

Team size is 8 players and tables are limited, so we’ll want to get registered soon. Let Jonathan know if you’d like to participate – there is a table fee of $12.50 per person.

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Our Sympathy

Our love and sympathy to Rhonda and the family of Rev. Raymond Hampton. Ray passed

on November 29th. Blessed be our many memories of Pastor Ray.

Our Prayers

Claudia Pauk; Rod Bohner; Dorothy Carbaugh; Joan Cooney; Judy Egeland; Owen Sampson; Bob Parker; Rod Bohner; Alyce Wirth; George Sellers; LuAnn Johnson; Loretta Parker; Judy Skaare; Lois Johnson; Jackie Royer; Cooper Leeman; Taylor family

Our Presence

Attendance Dec 1 – Dec 29: Worship: 505 Total – 101 avg

Our Gifts

Offering – Dec 1 – Dec 22: $22,995.87

Our Service

Thank you all of our volunteers who helped decorate the sanctuary for

December.

Thank you to Marilyn Webster, Nancy Uran, Gloria Sampson, Terry Gustason, Tep Reeder and Claudia

Pauk who each took a turn assisting with Congregate Meals in December. We appreciate them serving on behalf of our Grace Church family. Marilyn also shared a program!

Thank you to all of the officers and committee members for our 2019

Committees!

Our Witness

Thank you to our Liturgists, Advent Candle Lighters and readers:

Casey, Dylan & Emmerson Kahl; Nicholas, Jason, Marcia & Amanda Hofsommer; Riley, Brent, Jody, Blake & Emma Larson; Skylar Blagg, Nate, Malinda, Riker Warwick & Chase Blagg; Jonathan & Catherine Cooney, Gloria Sampson

UMW News

In lieu of a regular meeting in December the United Methodist Women met on Wednesday, December 11. We signed Christmas cards for

10 shut-ins from Grace Church and then filled Christmas tins with cookies we had brought. We divided into teams and delivered our Christmas treats and visited with those church members. UMW does many service projects during the year but our December project is one of the most enjoyable. A holiday afternoon spent with good friends enjoying one another’s company!

Christmas Program Thank Yous

Our 2019 Sunday school children’s Christmas program, It Happened in a Stable, was a big success with each and every student doing a lovely job with their roles. Thank you to Erma Schaeffer

leading music & organizing and to Cathy for writing an amusing program, designed specifically for our special group of children and youth. Thanks also to Sunday school teachers Adam & Valerie Carlson, Christine Semler-Blue, Beckey Witthuhn and Craig Jensen & Val Gregori for their work in helping the kids prepare. Also, thanks to the Quilters, Rhonda Hampton, Mark Hermanson, Pastor Jonathan, Duane Matson, Hubert Bickelhaupt, Mike Marti, Mike Jensen and for their help. But most of all, thanks to all the kids and their families for making rehearsals a priority and for working to learn lines. We had fun!

3rd Sunday Brunch

Our December Sunday Brunch was enjoyed by a crowd of 100 people. Tep Reeder, Cheryl Semler, Tori Fournier, Patsy Jensen, Eric Dowe, Connor Blue,

Tanner Blue, Lynn Henricks, Denise Carlson, and Jim Hassebrock helped host this month. $678 was raised to assist Jerry Spencer with his ministry training expenses! Please join us January 19th for our next 3rd Sunday Brunch!

For Your Information

When there is a weather-related early out at Roland-Story schools, all church activities for that day will also be cancelled. As a general rule, worship services will NOT be cancelled in the case of inclement

weather. But, if authorities are advising no travel in the cases of heavy Saturday night snow and severely low temperatures, we will adhere to their advice. In that case, tune into KCCI TV, check your email or consult Facebook as we will post the information there by as early as 7:00 on the Sunday morning in question. You are urged to use your own good judgment as to if you are able to attend the service when the weather is nasty.

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Wheelchair Ministry

Grace Church will help Bethany Manor wheel chair bound residents get to worship services on Sunday mornings in January. Thank you to the

following people for volunteering this year!

Jan. 5 Hubert & Raejean Bicklehaupt

Mike & Christine Marti

Jan. 12 Sunday School Class (7-12)

Jan. 19 Suzy Hess

Kevin & Linda Larson

Jan. 26 UMW

Angel Tree Report

Thank you to all who participated in the Angel Tree Project for Roland-Story school through our Grace Church.

Hundreds of gifts were received for over 100 students/37 families. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and children all over Story City and Roland had a happier Christmas because you chose to give to others in this way!

Adult Studies Class

Our Adult Studies Sunday school class will begin with “Our Membership Vows in the United

Methodist Church.” This is the last in a series of studies. When we become members of the UMC we make a covenant to do seven things. This study will discuss these promises in turn.

Our membership vows remind us of God’s call to be fishers of men, to be disciples for Christ. As John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement encouraged,

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

Poinsettias for Remembrance

Our sanctuary was graced during Advent by families sharing lovely poinsettias in remembrance of loved ones.

In memory of

John & Pauline Andrew, Sally Donald by Judy Andrew

Homer & Myrtle Brown, Doc & Vera Semler

Gene Brown By Chuck & Cheryl Semler

Russell & Diane Clayberg by Mark & Cathy Hermanson

Gary & Renee Hubert by Adam & Valerie Hubert

LuVerne & Mary Hults, Kenneth & Marjorie Balo Ray & Betty Hults

Charles Jewell, Alma & Orville Carlson Denise & Kurt Carlson

Rodney Johnson (son) by Lois Johnson and family

Florence & Bud Mason Janet Mason Schuck

David Matheason (son) by Chuck & Ruby Matheason

Both of our parents Terry and Lana Ragaller

Bob & Jean Reeder Barbara Wheeler

Louis & Tep Reeder

Helena, Stefan, Ziggy, Laura, Johnny Suchon, Jeanetta & Don Caruth, Diane Antic, Roberta Mather,

Jean Beyer-Carman by Helen & Donyel Caruth

In Honor of Bob, Susie & Daniel Antic, George Kordalewski, Dorothea

Suchen, Sandra, Jaydon, Andrew Anthony, Mary Lou Berhow

by Helen & Donyel Caruth

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December Pictures of Grace Pictures shared by Sharla Mander, Jonathan Cooney, Cheryl Semler, Mark & Cathy Hermanson

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It Happened in a Stable – Sunday School program 2019

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NOTE: On financial gifts to Grace for 2019 - checks must be dated on or before

December 31st

and arrive in the church office by Monday, January 6th

. Thank you!

DEFERRED GIFT ANNUITY -- CASE STUDY

Several years ago Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock. It turned out

to be a very wise decision, because the value of the stock increased to $100,000 a few years later. Though they

were not in need of additional income at the time, the couple decided to cash in on this growth and began

considering selling the stock.

Allison: We had had a good year and were looking for ways to maximize deductions and reduce what we owed

in taxes. At the same time, we had been exploring the best way to make a gift to our favorite charity.

Larry: Allison and I were both age 50 at the time, in good health and still working. And though we didn't really

need extra current income, we were planning to retire at age 65 so we were always interested in smart retirement

planning. Our goal was to be able to live comfortably and travel in our motorhome to visit friends and family.

Allison: I remember when we met with a gift planner. He explained the benefits of setting up a deferred gift

annuity. Instead of selling, we could give our stock to our favorite charity and receive an immediate charitable tax

deduction. Plus, when we turn 65, the deferred gift annuity would make annual retirement income payments to us

for our lifetime.

Larry: We decided to set up the deferred gift annuity. And we experienced first hand each of the benefits Allison

mentioned: we received a charitable tax deduction and tax savings immediately. And now that we're retired, we

receive income each year that helps make our retirement travel possible. On top of all of this, the deferred gift

annuity makes a portion of the income payments we receive tax free.

Grace’s Endowment Committee encourages you to consider the various ways your giving can help to Endow Grace, preserving the future of our Church.

Please contact the church office at 515-733-4712 or office@grace-umc.com or visit our website at

http://www.grace-umc.com/endowgrace.aspx .

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January 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year's Day

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5 Kurt

9:15 Worship 10:15 Decorations down 10:30 Sunday school

6:00 Confirmation

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5:30 Communications

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1:30 UMW

7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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Evening Kiwanis set-up

11 10-Noon

Bishop Laurie @ Grace

5:00-7:00

Kiwanis Chili Supper

At GUMC

12 Gloria

9:15 Worship 10:15 Coffee Fellowship 10:30 Sunday school 6:00 Confirmation

13 10:00-11:30

Dist. Response Team

5:30 SPRC

6:30 Worship

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7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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19 Cathy

8:00 Trustees 8:15 Missions 9:15 Worship 10:15 Bunch 10:30 Sunday school 6:00 Confirmation

20 Martin Luther King Jr.

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7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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Pastor’s Retreat Day

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26 Claudia

9:15 Worship 10:15 Coffee Fellowship 10:30 Sunday school 6:00 Confirmation

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5:30 Finance

6:30 Council

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7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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