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Click this link for Holy Week Events Holy Week
Christian Experience Weekend
The Men’s CEW was February 5-7; the women’s was February 19-21. Both were wonderful weekends of fellowship, prayer, worship, and learning. Big thanks to the team, and thank you to everyone else for your prayers and your donations toward making this event happen!
Between the two weekends, almost forty people from eight different denominations (and twelve different congregations!) gathered in the name of Christ. Those participating from First Christian Church of Nevada included Anna Arnold, Pastor Karen Fausch, Sharon Little, Carol Thompson, and Ray & Laural Beaty.
Here are some comments about the experience:
"I just got home from cooking (with 2 other women) for the men's CEW. What an awesome experience, getting to see 1st hand the power of God working on and in these men. Their laughter was from the gut. Their words were from the heart. The glow on their faces and in their eyes, I know was because of God." --Carol Thompson
"It has been a very fulfilling weekend that has brought me closer to God. I feel inspired and filled with the love of Christ. This has been a true blessing."
"WOW! What a joyous and exciting time I had at the CEW. Seventeen ladies from congregations in Nevada gathered to further their walk with God through Christ. We heard talks about Self-Knowledge, Grace, Study, Sacraments, Community Spirituality, Spirituality/Piety, and Action. After each talk we had the opportunity to discuss what these meant to our lives and our community. We had a candle-light service where we practiced the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) of prayer; this was very uplifting and encouraging. I came away with a renewed focus on asking God "How may I serve you today Lord." "I want to encourage the ladies to come when we have it again!" --Sharon Little
"It exceeded my expectations. This was my first retreat and I am amazed at how much my faith has changed and grown in such a short time. I enjoyed growing spiritually and some of the insights from others will really give me something to grow on. It was such a powerful experience and bringing Christians from so many churches together was awesome."
Office Help Needed
Parts of Anna’s duties in the office include putting together the Bulletin and Newsletter. In April and again in July she will be gone and there is a need for one or possibly two people who could step in and do these functions. If you would be willing to assist the church office in this manner please see Sharon Little, our board President. Thank you.
Food at First
Thursday, March 25th, will be our next turn to host the Food at First meal at First United Methodist Church (7th & K). Please watch the bulletins and bulletin board for more information and food/volunteer sign-up sheets!
Stories of the Spirit Conference
On Saturday, March 20th, from 9:30 to 4:30, gather at First Christian Church in Ames with other Disciples from around the Region to share and hear stories of how Christ is moving in our congregations!
Tex Sample (nationally renowned storyteller, author, and professor emeritus at St. Paul School of theology) will be the facilitator of this event as we spend time listen and rejoicing in the ways God is transforming our congregations!
Come, listen, gather ideas, get motivated, and be encouraged by the ways the Holy Spirit is at work in the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest! Registration is only $15 (only $10 if more than 5 go!) – see Anna or Pastor Karen to sign up!
Bagley/Arnold Wedding Shower
Everyone is invited to honor Anna Arnold & Danny Bagley with a wedding shower. Show them our love and appreciation by joining us at our worship service on Sunday, March 21st, followed by our monthly potluck lunch, and then the celebration of the coming marriage of Anna & Danny. See you there!
-- FCC Shower Committee
Community Cupboard Board
Each church has a representative on the Food Pantry Board. Thelma Haley has been our rep for many years but wishes to pass the position on to someone else at this time. The board meets once quarterly in the evening. Please see Mary Jo Johnson if you have an interest in serving on the board. Thank you to Thelma for representing our church for so many years!
A Message from the Moderator
I thought I would take this opportunity to say hello as your new Church Board Moderator. Our first meeting was held Wednesday, February 17. Carol Thompson gave the devotions and showed us how she found "valentine" in the Bible. Ask her about it. I want to thank those who are part of the Board this year and look forward to working with you. While searching for a new full-time pastor, my prayer is that we will open up and learn who we are and where God is calling us. That this journey will bring us closer together because of Christ. I close with Pauls' words "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" be with you now and always. --Sharon Little
Youth Sunday
Please join us at 10:30 on Sunday, March 14th for a youth-led worship service! Any 6th-12th graders who want to be involved should come to Sunday School (9:30 Sundays) or Youth Group (5;30 Wednesdays) for more information!
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The telephone prayer chain has been updated!
Pick up your copy in the narthex.
If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact Anna.
If you would like to request prayers, please call the church office:
515-382-4866
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Cling to the Cross
Plans and rehearsals for our fifth annual Cling to the Cross program are underway! If you would like to be involved through special music, reading, dance, or by sharing a testimony of “what the cross means to me,” please contact Anna as soon as possible! Cling to the Cross will be held on Palm Sunday evening (March 28) at 6:00.
Good Samaritan Choirfest
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Choirfest at the United Methodist Church on January 24th. $2838.15 was raised for the local Good Samaritan Fund and will be used to further His work in Story County. The next town-wide Good Samaritan Fundraiser will be our annual barbecue on Thursday, June 17th, at St. Patrick’s.
24 Hour Prayer Vigil
The sign-up sheet for our annual twenty-four hour Prayer Vigil is posted on the bulletin board. Please begin thinking about spending an hour, or even just 30 minutes, in the prayer room (the TWO-Challengers Sunday School room).
The Vigil will begin with the Cling to the Cross program on March 28 and go until 6pm on Monday, March 29th. Elders, please be sure to sign up for a shift to provide spiritual guidance/company for the prayers.
Hymnal Committee Forming
Memorial money has been given to the church and the donor would like for the church to look into purchasing new hymnals with this donation. If you would like to be a part of this committee please see or call Pastor Karen.
Care Facility Devotions
Friday, March 26th, will be our turn to lead devotions at Rolling Green Village and Story County Long Term Care. If you are available to read Scripture, help sing, or simply come spend time with the residents, please contact Pastor Karen.
New Baby
Congratulations to Tara Robinson and Jason Mitchell on the February 19th birth of their son, Colton Jerry Mitchell. Grandparents are Deb & Randy Robinson; great-grandparents are Linda Cheek and Pat & George Robinson.
Prayer Concerns
Dave Lenning, Harry Nickerson, George Robinson, Liz & Chuck Willett, Monna Scheid, David Burnett, Lynn Burnett, Nancy Aldridge, Sharon Vogt, Thelma Richey, Oscar Thrasher, Marguerite Holley, Doug Hensley, Nick Carlson, Brayton Shill, all soldiers serving overseas, including Sgt. Jim Ferriss, Sgt. Greg Ferriss, Sgt. Matt Ferriss, SSgt. Nick Lauritzen, Capt. Anthony Dorsa, & MSgt. Mark Fluckiger
To share news, announcements, prayer concerns, or praise reports, contact:
Anna Arnold, Auxiliary Ministries
AnnaLArnold@yahoo.com
515-382-4866 (office) or 515-708-1047 (cell)
Minutes of the 17 February 2010 Board Meeting
-Sharon Little, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 8:00p.m. Opening prayer by Anna. Carol Thompson had the devotion.
- Roll call was taken by Clerk, Dolores Strum. Members Present: Jill Willett, Mary Jo Johnson, Carol Thompson, Dolores Strum, Fern Samson, Sharon Little, Laural Beaty, Pastor Karen Fausch and Anna Arnold.
I: Written Reports and Communications:
Clerk: Minutes from congregational meeting read; motion to approve by Jill Willett, 2nd by Mary Jo Johnson. Minutes were approved. Added to this was the death of Howard Oxley on February 6, 2010. Vicki Hahn’s father passed away this month as well.
Financial Report: Written report. Motion from Laural Beaty, 2nd by Mary Jo Johnson, approved.
Treasurer Report: No written report was available; Sharon Little read a statement by Deb Robinson that all bills had been paid. No vote was carried. Checking account balance as of 02/17/2010-$11,018.07.
II. Consideration of unfinished business:
Hymnal Committee: There was a request by Betty Burnett that the memorial monies from the death of George Burnett might be used to buy newer Hymnals. At present there is no committee for this task. It will be brought to the congregation for input and possible persons willing to be on this committee.
Congregational Expectations Survey: Jill has the surveys and has compiled the comments. This will be given over to Laural who will put together the package for presentation. To date there is no committee formed for this project.
III. New Business:
Congregational Meeting Requirements: Concern was raised on the lack of a quorum at the congregational meetings. Discussion was held to change the by-laws in reference to the number of members needed to make a quorum. It was decided that we would continue following the by-laws as written.
Office Tasks: Concerns were brought related to office tasks while Anna is gone. There were offers by Board members to assist when needed. This will be brought to the congregation for volunteers as well.
New Business Cont.: Mary Jo stated that Chuck Nickerson has an idea for an outreach fundraising having to do with The Rose in Ames. This being; Volunteer mentors from our church assisting in work placement. Chuck will present this idea to the board at another date.
Pastor Search Timeline: Tabled at this time. The surveys from the congregation will be looked at to assess the needs of our church. Laural mentioned a possible interest in taking this task.
IV Committee Reports:
Outreach: February 17, 2010, Mary Jo took items to be shipped to the soldiers overseas. The Outreach luncheon for the third Sunday of February was cancelled due to committee members having other events. The regular potluck will take place instead, with a free will offering supporting the Love Fund.
Evangelism/Membership: Carol Thompson has been reaching out to others but requested that all members should be compelled to do the same.
Trustees: Concerns about the ice at outer front doors. The roof is a problem there as well. Scott Ellingson is working on this problem.
Elders: The Elder’s breakfast will be held February 28 instead of February 21. Jill stated buying prepared juice & wafer sets for home communion. Jill thanked all who had assisted during her absence.
CWF: Fern stated no meetings the last two months due to bad weather. The meeting for February was changed to Thursday February 18 at 6:p.m. Valentines had been sent out to the shut-ins by Betty Burnett.
Youth: March 14, 2010, the youth will be leading worship. Following the service there will be a luncheon. Anna remarked on the many projects that the youth are involved in. There is a fundraiser in place now so that seven of our youth can go to Loveland CO. July 21-27. The cost for this trip is $3100.00. They have $1521.71 toward that goal.
Auxiliary Ministries Report: February 6th. the CEW, Christian Experience Weekend was attended by 20 men from the churches in Nevada. February 20 is the weekend for the women’s CEW weekend. Attending from our church are Sharon Little, Anna Arnold, Laural & Ray Beaty, Karen Fausch and Carol Thompson. Anna is working on the Cling to the Cross program for March 28. Choir Fest held at the Methodist Church was a huge success bringing in a total of $2838. Anna will be attending summer camp at Heartland Christian Camp in Birmingham, Iowa from June 27-July 2 2010. This was approved by the board. Anna will lead breakout workshops for women at the Heartland Camp as well as Worship. Anna will be out of the office from April 14-April 28. Arrangements for assistance in the office and where needed while she is out has been planned. We wish her happiness and a wonderful honeymoon.
Pastor’s Report: Written report. Karen will be on vacation from Monday March 8 to Friday March 12.
In Closing: Prayers and concerns were lifted up. Jill Willett ended the meeting with prayer.
Meeting adjourned: 9:30p.m.
Minutes by Dolores Strum,Clerk
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