forward in faith - ankeny christian academy –...
TRANSCRIPT
Visit us at www.ankenychristianacademy.org
FORWARD IN FAITH
F A L L 2 0 1 3
P U B L I S H E D B Y
T H E A N K E N Y C H R I S T I A N
A C A D E M Y D E V E L O P M E N T O F F I C E
INSIDE:
Silent
Auction
Goodies
Campaign
Midpoint
Celebration
STO Tax
Credit
Deadline
Generosity
Essay
Contest
Winners
Evening of Entertainment to Benefit ACA
W hether you are a faithful guest of Ankeny Christian Academy’s annual
benefit and auction or have never attended, you won’t want to miss this
year’s event. ACA’s annual fall event on November 2 at Prairie Ridge Church, 825
NW 36th Street, Ankeny, offers a time of fellowship and fundraising to benefit
ACA tuition scholarships. The event presents an excellent opportunity to invite
friends and family members to learn about Christian education through an
evening of fabulous food by Baratta’s Catering, a special student vocal
performance, live and silent auctions, and entertainment by the Jeff Arrandale
Music ministry. Jeff’s music features self-penned songs of praise, encouragement,
and truth in an infectious pop/rock style.
SPECIAL GUESTS
This year we will have the honor of hearing from
ACA parents, and special guests,
Greg and Jamey Beck.
The Becks will share about God’s faithfulness and
His sustaining grace in their family’s life.
NEW - We are going online!
Don’t miss the opportunity to shop online at BiddingForGood.com/acaauction
through November 1. Shoppers may purchase items online and bid on items that
will appear at the live event. You can expect to see items such as gift cards to local
businesses, Disney World tickets, hotel stays, and VIP passes to a Wheel of
Fortune taping.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
You can help ACA by attending the event, bidding online, making a monetary
donation or contributing an item for the auction.
TICKETS
Adult meal: $20
Child’s meal: $10*
Table for 8: $150 *Includes a children’s program after dinner for ages 3 to 6th grade
Contact Amanda Charlton at 515-965-8114 or
[email protected] to reserve tickets
and/or make contributions to the event.
GET A PEEK INSIDE THE AUCTION
Page 2 F O R W A R D I N F A I T H
CLASS PROJECTS
S pecial auction items include baskets and projects
contributed by each ACA class. Guests will be able to bid
on unique pieces of art, restored furniture, and themed
baskets created by students and their families.
These projects and more are viewable at
BiddingForGood.com/acaauction.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT?
C urious what’s up for grabs? Take
a peek at just SOME of the
fabulous items and opportunities in
the live and silent auctions.
Salon Services and Products: Aveda Pure Concepts, Anani Salon & Spa,
Salon LaLa, Merle Norman, Sports Clips, and
Signatures Salon
Restaurants: Jethro’s BBQ, Splash, Applebee’s, CJ’s Bagel
Basket, Outback Steakhouse, Pancheros
Mexican Grill, Tasty Tacos, Noodle Zoo,
Yanni’s Grill, Cheesecake Factory, Chick-fil-a,
Tasteful Dinners, Taco John’s, Godfather’s
Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts,
Bandana’s BBQ, Texas Roadhouse, Leaning
Tower of Pizza, Old Chicago, Cazador, Panera
Bread, El Azteca, Okoboji Grill,
and Maid-Rite
Health and Fitness: CrossFit Ankeny, Reset, Fitness World, Triad
Gymnastics, Ankeny Dance and Performing
Arts Academy, Thrive, YMCA, and Scheels
Hotels: Marriott Courtyard Ankeny, Embassy Suites
Kansas City, Sheraton West Des Moines,
Marriott Downtown Des Moines, Ramada
Tropics, Marriott West Des Moines, and the
Hyatt Place
Entertainment and Sports: Skate North Incrediroll, Living History
Farms, The Playground for Kids, Des Moines
Performing Arts, Des Moines Playhouse,
Woodland Hills Golf, Iowa Cubs, Blank Park
Zoo, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Omaha Zoo, and
Disney World
Services: Aubrey Kinzie Photography, Ankeny Auto
Spa, Schaal Heating and Cooling, Heartland
Tire & Auto, Ankeny Dry Cleaners, Clix
Portrait Studios, Graham Tire, and Portrait
Innovations
Baskets, Décor and More: Treasure House Gifts, Caribou Coffee,
Carmen’s Flowers, Healing Touch, Medicap
Pharmacy, Stampin’ Up!, Starbucks Coffee,
Chicken Shed Primitives, Flowerama,
Maurices, Kyle’s Bikes, and Memory Bound.
Charming Vintage Bookshelf By Mr. Nihart’s 2nd Grade Class
Enjoying God’s
Creation Basket By the 7th Grade Class
Whimsical (Repurposed) Play
Kitchen By Mrs. Sternquist’s 2nd Grade Class
Family Movie Basket By Ms. Eppen’s 5th Grade Class
Tree & Leaf Burlap Canvas By Miss Hult’s Kindergarten Class
Those who are unable to attend the benefit may bid on a
class project prior to October 30 by contacting
Amanda Charlton at 515-965-8114 or
Walking Forward in Faith
O n October 9, Ankeny Christian Academy’s staff and students celebrated the midpoint of the
Forward in Faith capital campaign. Students participated in the “Walking Forward in Faith”
celebration with a day of thanksgiving and praise
for what has been provided at ACA. Students and
staff filled the Hall of
Praise with paper chains
and links covered with
their prayers and praises.
A Hands and Feet to Serve
wall was decorated with
t r a c i n g s o f l o w e r
elementary students’
hands and feet. Upper
elementary posted their
praises in paragraphs
about what they are
thankful for at ACA, and
elementary students drew architectural renderings of what they thought
the new addition should include. Many of the younger students had fun
imagining a school playground that includes a water park and a rock
wall, a lunchroom with an ice cream shop, and other creative additions.
Grades 7-12 participated in an essay contest, and the winning essays
appear in this newsletter. The day culminated with an assembly to join
in thankfulness for the pledges nearing $700,000 and to pray
collectively for the future of the campaign and ACA. The campaign has
already provided teacher salary increases, new gym bleachers, digital
signage, and new HVAC units. We are excited to see what God will do in
the coming months at ACA through Forward in Faith.
Kindergartners share some of their
building ideas with Legos. Mr. Nihart's second grade class visits the
Praise Hall to read other students’
prayers and praises.
T he deadline to take advantage of the 2013 Iowa School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credits is
December 31. When you donate to the Heart of Iowa STO, you receive a “bottom line” tax credit not
just a tax deduction off your Iowa State income tax form. In return for your gift you receive an Iowa
tax credit valued at 65 percent of your gift. You also receive the normal deduction on your federal income
tax form. In other words, if you contribute $1,000, you receive a 65 percent or $650 state tax credit. In
addition, you receive a deduction off your federal income tax. Claiming your tax credit is easy. The STO
issues you a tax credit certificate that you simply attach to your state tax form. By giving a gift to the Heart
of Iowa (STO) you can help provide a Christian education for children who normally couldn’t afford one.
This is an excellent chance to expand the reach and further the mission of Ankeny Christian Academy, to
help more children deepen their faith, and to build Christian character in tomorrow’s leaders.
Contact Lydia Quick at 515-965-8114 or [email protected] for more
information. Download the STO tax credit form at www.ankenychristianacademy.com.
STO Deadline Approaches
Class chaplains lead the student body in
prayer at the all-school assembly.
Page 3
Photos contributed by Leslie Deo
F O R W A R D I N F A I T H
W hen I think of what it means to give generously, I think of all that
God has given me and how little it costs to return some of that to
Him. God created everything and does not need anything from us,
yet His desire for us is that we would be generous with one another.
II Corinthians 9:7 says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” God in His wisdom knows that
the act of giving and being generous benefits us spiritually. In the Old Testament,
God taught His people to give a tenth of their crops and to learn the concept of
tithing. In the New Testament, Jesus was the ultimate example of generosity when
He laid down His life so we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life with
Him. In the more than 2,000 years since Jesus gave the ultimate gift, God’s heart for
His people has not changed. He still expects us to dedicate our lives to His services
and give generously to others.
Our pastor has been teaching us about being generous in the areas of our time, talent, and treasure.
What does it look like to give generously of our time? Often those opportunities come when it is not
convenient or easy to give of our time. Proverbs 17:17 says that “a friend loves at all times and a brother is
born for a time of adversity.” Perhaps someone’s life is falling apart because
of a child’s illness or a death in the family. We should be willing to put aside
our desires and do whatever we can to help them through that difficult time.
I John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but
with actions and truth.” Volunteering for Hope Ministries to help the homeless, delivering boxes of food each
month to the elderly in Polk County, and serving my church are some ways that I have learned to give
generously of my time.
Another way to live a generous life is using the talents that God has given us to glorify Him and to
bless others. Everyone has been given different talents and abilities. I Peter 4:10 reminds us that “each of you
should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various
forms.” Some people’s talents are leading others or teaching a class. Others may share their talent of
hospitality and host a small group. I have used my musical talent in Jubilate (our church choir) and playing
the drums in STOMP (our youth group’s drumline). Whether a talent is used for your church, school or
community, it’s important to remember Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as
working for the Lord.”
Finally, a generous life can be lived by giving of our “treasure” or money. Giving generously of our
treasure helps keep our priorities straight. Having a lot of money or a little doesn’t matter, it is the desire to be
generous that glorifies God. Luke 4 tells us about the story of a widow who gave everything she had and Jesus
said, “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” Giving generously pleases God and
helps further His kingdom on the earth. Some people learn this principle early in life and others not until
later. I have seen how my parents’ generosity and faithfulness has blessed them. God has continued to give
our family opportunities to bless others financially. I have learned that tithing my paycheck is pleasing to God.
I have been blessed by raising money for Life Books (the book of John) and for missions trips with my youth
group to Colorado and Alaska. Jesus said, “It is better to give than receive,” and I have found this to be true.
Living a generous life and giving of our time, talent, and treasure is the least that we can do when we
consider all that God has done for us. Our motivation should be to please God and live a life that blesses
others. God’s Word promises that we will be blessed in many ways as well. Luke 6:38 explains what happens
when we give. “Give and it will be given to you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” God
expects Christians to be generous and blesses them when their hearts follow His.
Living a Generous Life: Giving Our Time, Talent and Treasure By Brady Hotchkiss, Senior
Brady Hotchkiss
“Living a generous life and giving of
our time, talent, and treasure is the
least that we can do when we consider
all that God has done for us.”
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Generosity is God’s Gift By Matthew Deo, Eighth Grade
G enerosity is being compassionate, giving more than what’s asked of you,
and being unselfish with what you are given. We give because God has
given so much to us, and our reaction should be to give freely to others
in need. A gift can be almost anything. It doesn’t need to be restricted to
feeding the poor or donating money. We can show kindness through being patient,
giving up time, forgiving someone who hurt us, or being someone’s friend. There are
so many ways to be generous to people, and I believe that we get to give because of
God.
To back this statement up, here are three
reasons. First and foremost, we should be
benevolent because of what Christ has done for us.
He gave up His life so that we could spend an eternity in heaven praising
Him. This greatly proportions any of our small good deeds and shows us that
we have no right to be selfish. Also, a person who believes that God created the universe and everything in it
understands that all he owns has been graciously entrusted to him. Therefore, that person must also realize
that he possesses nothing that he has the right to keep to himself. The life goal of that man should then be to
wisely give and use all the things he has in this life. The last reason is about heavenly rewards. As Christians
we should recognize that our best life is not now, but still to come. That life will last forever. Our 80-some
years in this world should seem like a tiny snowflake in a blizzard compared to eternity. That means that we
shouldn’t be stocking up good things for our time on earth but for the infinite time in heaven. In Matthew 19,
Jesus says, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
When we are generous, people will recognize us as Christians by our love. We can set an example to
others based on how we give. God commands us to give, tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and has
exampled this Himself through His son. Because of everything we have received and have been blessed with,
it is our joy to be able to give to others. It is a great privilege to be able to share Christ’s love through giving.
Matthew Deo
“Also, a person who believes that
God created the universe and
everything in it understands
that all he owns has been
graciously entrusted to him.”
Page 5
Generosity “If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let
him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing
mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” - Romans 12:8
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God
for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for
your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” - 2 Corinthians 9:13
Administrator
Joyce Hansen
Secondary Principal
Aaron Pals
ACA Board of Directors:
Josh Craighead, Chairman
Breck Appell
Ann Marie Buell
Leah Davenport
David Fisher
Chad Kloppe
Steve Mickelson
Todd Rempe
ACA Education Foundation:
Loren Kruse, Chairman
Carmine Boal
Don Buell
Carolyn Cole
David Hansen
Beth Heggen
Chad Kloppe
Lydia Quick
Pastor Brian Ruggles
Brenda Schilling
Upcoming Event Highlights at
Ankeny Christian Academy
November 2 Annual Benefit and Auction 16 Craft Fair 22 ACA Eagles vs. Madrid Girls Basketball Home Game, 7:30pm 27-29 Thanksgiving Break December 5 Secondary Christmas Vocal/Instrumental Program, 7 pm 6 ACA Eagles vs. Moravia Girls and Boys Basketball Home Game, 6 and 7:30 pm 12 Elementary Christmas Program, 7 pm 16 ACA Eagles vs. SEW Boys Basketball Home Game, 7:30 pm 20 ACA Eagles vs. Twin-Cedars Girls and Boys Basketball Home Game, 6 and 7:30 pm 23-31 Christmas Break January 1 New Year’s Day, No School 2 School Resumes
Ankeny Christian Academy
Development Office
1604 West 1st Street
Ankeny, IA 50023
Have you joined with ACA in moving “Forward in Faith”?
We look forward to sharing with you about the campaign!