February, 2014 2013

29043 T Avenue, P.O. Box 278

Phone: 515-987-4937 www.waukeechristianchurch@msn.com

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Feb 5th CWF 9:00 am Feb 6th WCC Hosting Cluster Feb 8th Young Adults Group 5-8 pm at the Koch’s Feb 9th Elders’ Meeting & Calling on

Visitors training 5:00 pm Board Meeting 6:30 pm Feb 12th WOW 6:30 pm Feb 23rd 90th Birthday reception for Charlotte Swallow 2-4 pm Mar 5th Ash Wednesday Lent Begins

When was the last time you moved? Jerry and I spent time in Florida helping our son Lance, his wife, Hira, and our grandson, Amaan, prepare to move to Washington D.C. It was wonderful and exhausting. We painted walls… held the baby… cleaned cupboards… held the baby… fixed meals… held the baby. Well, you get the idea.

Moving requires great planning. There are closets to organize and people to inform. And in the midst of it all, you find yourself inventorying everything you own. Every item is surveyed to see if it still has a purpose… serves a need… has a place. Space is limited and moving is expensive, so you don’t want to waste time or space. They ended up throwing out quite a bit and donating even more.

“Is it worth it?” That’s what they kept asking themselves. Is this worth carrying around? Does this help us or does it slow us down? Each of us is on a spiritual journey – we are all moving closer to God. So it’s time we look around, dig into the corners, dust off the antiques, and ask ourselves, “Is it worth it?”

How much of what you’re carrying around is worth it? Does it help you connect with God? Or does it get in the way, take up space? Faith is a journey and we need to be on the move.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out in pairs. And he instructed them on what they should pack for the journey: no bread, no bag, no money. Just a staff… Oh, and each other’s burdens… and their cross.

I’m afraid I carry far too much that weighs me down: fear, guilt, sin. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just donate those to God? What do you need to toss? What do you need to give away or return? What can you repurpose or recycle? What holds a special place in your heart? What can’t you live without?

February is the love month - Valentine’s Day - when you celebrate the gift of love. Somehow these two things are connected in mind: all the stuff we carry around and how well we can love. Sometimes, when our lives are too full there’s no space for love. When our arms are full of boxes, we can’t pick up the baby. But, when we set those things aside, suddenly there’s room for the treasure – for God’s great Valentine.

Be love this February. Search yourself and find something you can give. You’ll be surprised by the joy that fills you up when you empty yourself.

Blessings, Pastor Sue

February, 2014

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Dave Grandgenett for all your hard work on the budget and financials.

Lee and Linda Foltz for the computer donation.

Thank you to those who have donated computers to - and helped paint - the Youth Sunday School Classrooms. Jesus called little children to come unto Him. We pray that our youth might be blessed by your gifts.

Matt Hansen and Beckie Myers for the smooth transition of the financial secretary position.

Thanks to those who accepted leadership for 2014 Thanks to George Risinger for filling the pulpit Thanks to those who helped paint the Sunday school classroom.

Thank you to all who have sent cards, gave words of encouragement, and prayers during my hip surgery and recovery. We are very fortunate to have such a supportive church family. ~ Matthew and Cimberly Hansen

Waukee Christian Church Family, Thank you so much for your “well wishes” as I was in the

hospital and recuperating from pneumonia. Your healing prayers and warm support helped me get stronger and back to my normal routine. In God’s Love, Marlene Risinger

I wish to thank everyone for the monetary gift given to me for my work with the cantata. It was a great Sunday to sing to Got our praises of Christmas, and at the same time present the congregation with a message in song. Thanks! ~ Ruth Sindt

Thank you so much for your generous gift of love! It has been a joy working at Waukee Christian Church and I look forward to continuing to build relationships with the entire congregation! ~ Lanita Cavanaugh

Dear WOW Group, We wanted to thank you so much for your generous gift to help provide for needs of kids who might otherwise not have appropriate clothes or outdoor gear to use. It is so nice of you to think of us! Our guidance counselors and I will be glad to help out through your generosity! Thanks again! We appreciate it! ~ Kim Hunt, WE School Nurse ~ Hope Bleckwehl & Shanlyn Doll, WE School Counselors

Dear Women of Waukee (WOW!) and Karen Neese, Thank you so much for your generous donation! I plan to use the money to buy personal hygiene items, cough drops, chapstick, cereal bars, etc. for students who are in need. Your kindness is greatly appreciatred! This is an amazing gift! Sincerely,

Mary Ellen Bratkiewicz, South Middle School Nurse

Thank you so much for your donation! So many students will benefit from your generous hearts! Sincerely,

Chris Bergman SMS Principal

Thank you for thinking of the special needs at South Middle School! I appreciate the donation very much! I will use the money for clothes that my students need. Thanks again – God Bless You! Shari Butler Level 3 Special Ed. Services

Thank you for the many expressions of sympathy. It’s great to

be a part of such a caring group. I believe when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Dolores Brown

One of the Sunday’s of Advent is labeled “Joy”, and what a joy it

has been serving you as your pastor. You are kind and loving, and you shared that love with Jerry and me through your generous Christmas gift. We are humbled by your gift and blessed by your friendship. May the coming year fill us all with opportunities for mission and service.

~ In Christ, Pastor Sue & Jerry

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Who was Barton Stone? What is the Declaration and Address?

Where is Cane Ridge? On February 16th, Pastor Sue will be hosting

Disciples 101. This is a great opportunity to brush up on your Disciples

history. Or, if you’ve been attending Waukee Christian Church or

recently transferred and would like to know more about the

denomination or this congregation, you might want to join us. We will

meet at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Disciples 101

Your giving is important to the future ministry of God’s church in this

place. Please give generously and with a cheerful heart.

October November December

Receipts $ 11,950.00 $ 12,085.69 $ 13,366.00

Expenses 10,591.00 10,090.35 11,058.00

$ 1,359.00 $ 1,995.34 $ 2,308.00

Money available for expenses $ 4,912.75 $ 6,743.10 $ 10,586.64

Please welcome our newest members to the life

and ministry of God’s church in this place and update

your church directory.

Marc and Jan De Jong, 4516 – 88th Street,

Urbandale, IA 50322 transferred from Wakonda

Christian Church in Des Moines. We welcome you

with joy!

Juanita McBeth, 2811 – 149th Street, Urbandale,

IA 50323 transferred from College Avenue Christian

Church. God’s blessings!

Articles for the March Newsletter are due by Feb 19th!

Youth Sunday School needs a few items!! Can you help by donating?

“Prizes” or small gifts for boys to put

in the Marketplace Long-sleeved shirts for painting

smocks Bible Flashcards Camcorder and stand Scrapbooking punches, stamps,

stickers Elementary-aged board games Veggie Tale videos

Your gift is appreciated!

Between The Covers book club meets on the last Monday of the month at 6 pm to discuss the book of the month and enjoy table fellowship. If you can join us, great! The February book is “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak (historical fiction/adolescentself-help).

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Monthly Communion Is Available

The Elders take communion once a month to those who are homebound, in nursing facilities or hospitalized. If you would like to receive communion, please contact Cimberly Hansen, Elder Chair at 515-276-3145.

Pat Carpe will host

CWF on Feb. 5th at the

Church at 9AM.

All ladies are

welcome are to attend.

The Women of

Waukee will meet

at 6:30 pm on Wednesday,

February 12th. Cimberly Hansen will

serve as the hostess. All women

interested in deepening their faith,

service, and fellowship are welcome!

Smile! Plans are underway to print an updated Church Directory. We will be using the Church Windows software to compile the directory. Please let the office know of any change in address or contact information.

s Knit Wits meet at the church every

Tuesday morning at 9:30 am. They make many beautiful items and welcome anyone to join their fun group.

Cash donations or donations of 3-4 skeins of yarn of one color are also needed.

Please remember to return your puzzle piece to the office. We would like to gift the puzzle picture of our church to the youth Sunday school.

Would you like to be the reason someone joined Waukee Christian Church? You can be! People don’t join a friendly church; they join a church where they can make a friend. Be that friend. On February 9th at 5:00 pm, you are invited to learn how to make calls on people visiting our worship service. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does take an open

heart. Hospitality is the door and you are the key. Come learn how to grow the church.

Please let the church office know about hospitalizations, surgeries, etc. The Privacy Act (HIPAA) limits the notification we get from health care facilities. The church number is 515-987-4937 and Pastor Sue can be reached at 515-577-4543.

February, 2014

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A Holy Land Trip is being planned for November 3rd, 2015. Talk to Pastor Sue or Jerry if you are interested in this life-changing experience!

DID YOU KNOW?

Week of Compassion has an Endowment program through the Christian Church Foundation with over 140 named funds -- and it continues to grow! The approximate market value of all CCF funds that benefit WoC is over $2,691,000.

In 2012, Week of Compassion responded to at least 47 different countries and at least 39 different states in the U.S.

Week of Compassion helped fund some 250 work trips of the more than 1125 groups (over 11,081 volunteers) who traveled to the Gulf South since the hurricanes of 2005 to aid in the hurricane recovery. Disciples donated at least 437,070 hours to the recovery! And Week of Compassion continues to help send Disciples to aid in recovery in places like Joplin, MO and Haiti.

Week of Compassion established the Women’s Empowerment Fund

in 2010 to contribute to the education, training and empowerment of women, recognizing that economic and social development around the world, including North America, depends directly on how we support and empower girls and women.

Between 1949 and 2011, Week of Compassion supported Refugee and Immigration Ministries in helping resettle 35,000 refugees in the U.S.

Week of Compassion responds almost every single day to some form of need or suffering in the world.

Week of Compassion celebrates 69 years of ministry!

Giving to Week of Compassion is an effective way for Disciples congregations, members and friends to channel their resources and concerns to the humanitarian needs of suffering people within the United States and in the world.

A new group for young adults (approximate ages 18-45) is being formed. The first meeting will be at Clint and Suzanne Koch’s home (2770 NW 157th Street, Clive) on Saturday, February 8th from 5-8 pm. The group will develop plans for future gatherings. Pizza and drinks will be provided and kids are welcome!

It’s that time of year. In cases of

emergency, the Board Chair and the Minister will decide action that is in the best interest of the members and friends of Waukee Christian Church.

If worship is cancelled, a One Call Now message will be sent to your phone. Make sure the office has your current phone information so you can be up to date!

If you have been trying on Waukee Christian Church for a while and it feels like a great fit, you are invited to join us on this journey of faith. Simply let Pastor Sue know, and she will make the arrangements.

The quarterly serving schedules are available. Please let the office know if you have

questions or would like to volunteer to serve God’s church.

Date Communion

Prep Audio Visual

Greeter Youth

Greeter Candle Lighter

Children's Moment

Reader Call to

Worship, Opening Prayer,

Scripture

Communion Invitation

Elders Call to Offering, Offering Prayer,

Communion Prayer

Offering & Communion

Servers Fellowship Time

Nursery Attendant

Food Pantry

Delivery Visiting Elders

FEBRUARY

2nd Pat/Jack Carpe Jerry

Woods George Risinger

Cassie Hansen

Zoey Koch George Risinger

Suzanne Koch Shari Burgus Jerry Woods Cathy Phillips

George Risinger Suzanne Koch

Shari Burgus Kelsey Baker

Beckie Myers

Wayne & Joyce Breckenridge

9th Dave

Grandgenett Jason Keller

Suzanne Koch Zoey Koch Jason Keller Sue Woods George Risinger

Shari Burgus Cathy Conklin Duane Sindt

Beckie Myers Jason Keller

Pat/Jack Carpe Cassie

Hansen

16th Beckie Myers Cassie

Hansen Pat Carpe

Cassie Hansen

Tammy Hardersen

George Risinger

Linda Foltz Sue Woods Cimberly Hansen

Linda Wilcox Cimberly &

Cassie Hansen Lorrie

Grandgenett Kelsey Baker

23rd Dolores Betzold

Matt Hansen

Jack Carpe Zoey Koch Zoey Koch Sue Woods Shari Burgus Sue Woods Wayne/Joyce Breckenridge

Dave/Lorrie Grandgenett

Marlene Risinger Cassie

Hansen

MARCH

2nd Marlene Risinger

Jerry Woods

Dave Grandgenett

Cassie Hansen

Jason Keller George Risinger

Lorrie Grandgenett

Shari Burgus Cathy Phillips Jerry Woods

Jason Keller Shari Burgus

Lois Bannister Velda Morris

Kelsey Baker

Marlene Risinger

Linda Wilcox Cimberly Hansen

9th Lorrie

Grandgenett Jason Keller

Shari Burgus Zoey Koch Tammy

Hardersen Sue Woods

Ron Hardersen

Shari Burgus Cathy Conklin Duane Sindt

Ron/Tammy Hardersen

Dolores Brown Dolores Betzold

Cassie Hansen

16th Jack/Pat Carpe Cassie

Hansen Marlene Risinger

Cassie Hansen

Zoey Koch George Risinger

Tammy Hardersen

Sue Woods Linda Wilcox

Cimberly Hansen Dave/Lorrie Grandgenett

Karen Neese Kelsey Baker

23rd Dave

Grandgenett Matt

Hansen Beckie Myers Zoey Koch Jason Keller Sue Woods Karen Neese Sue Woods

Wayne/Joyce Breckenridge

Cimberly & Cassie Hansen

Suzanne Koch Cassie

Hansen

30th Marlene Risinger

Jerry Woods

Lorrie Grandgenett

Cassie Hansen

Tammy Hardersen

George Risinger

Suzanne Koch Sue Woods Jerry Woods Cathy Phillips

George Risinger Suzanne Koch

Vivian Wilson Kathryn Llewellyn

Kelsey Baker

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28

Between the Covers Book Club Mtg.

9:30 am Knit Wits

9:30 am Knit Wits

9:30 am Knit Wits

9:30 am Knit Wits

6:30 pm Board Mtg.

10 am Worship 9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship 9 am Sunday School

WOW 6:30 pm

Charlotte Swallow’s 90th

Birthday Reception 2-4 pm

10 am Worship 9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship 9 am Sunday School

CWF 9:00 am WCC Hosting Clusters 6 & 8

Super Bowl

NOTE: World Day of Prayer is March 7, 2014

Young Adults Group 5-8 pm at

the Koch’s

5:00 pm Elders’ Mtg. Training: “Calling on Visitors”

Connecting people to each other and the world.

Growing spiritually through the renewing of our minds.

Honoring the Image of God in all people.

February, 2014

WAUKEE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 29043 T Avenue

P.O. Box 278

Waukee, Iowa 50263

…OUR STAFF… Pastor: Reverend Sue Woods

Admin. Assistant: Lanita Cavanaugh … CHURCH OFFICE ... Office Hours Monday-Wednesday-Thursday 8:30AM – 3:30PM Phone / Fax Ph: (515) 987-4937 Fax: (515) 987-8911 Email waukeechristianchurch@msn.com Website

waukeechristianchurch.com

The Waukee Christian Church Newsletter is published monthly.

Living Faith on the Edge

~ We are People of the Table ~ ~Living Faith on the Edge of Waukee ~

People of the Table

Living Faith on the Edge

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Worship Service 10:00 am

NOTICE:

If you no longer wish to receive the WCC newsletter, please

notify the office at 515-987-4937. If you would like to receive

this newsletter electronically, send your email address to

waukeechristianchurch@msn.com. Thank you.

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