CHARGE CONFERENCE

Geneseo’s Charge Conference will take place on Tues-day, November 9, at 6:00 p.m. This year it will be held at Geneseo. It will again be a joint conference with the Dy-sart, La Porte City, Traer and Waterloo-St. Paul UMC’s. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.

Geneseo United Methodist Church

3127 115th Street

Buckingham, IA 50612

319-478-8788

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The Geneseo Voice A publication of Geneseo United Methodist Church

Issue #10, October 2010

I’ll admit it…I just spent a few minutes on the Internet looking at some

beautiful sculptures from the World Championship of Sand Sculpting. Like

many, I wonder how these artists can work so hard and so meticulously on

works of art that will soon be nothing but piles of sand (apparently with

some glue mixed in.) For the most part, they seem pretty philosophical about

the whole thing. "It's about the process of creation, that's what the enjoyable

bit is," said one artist. "That's where we lose ourselves… We're attached to

the process of making sculptures but not attached to the end result at all." I

don’t know about you, but it is awfully hard for me to work and not get too

attached to the end result.

Yet I think that much of what we do for the Lord is like those sculptures.

We work hard and carefully and the results may be lovely or rather plain –

but they are temporary. When we work in faith, God is glorified in the do-

ing and somehow in the final result (even if it is not as wonderful as we

hoped) and hearts are changed. The work itself may eventually crumble

away…but the lives of those who participate in or see the work may be im-

pacted for eternity, for it is the Spirit who breathes in and through all our

working.

May we have the grace to work hard and trust that the eternal results are

not up to us, but the Lord and may we take heart in remembering that the

Lord is faithful.

Your Sister in the Sand,

Pastor Christie

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Buckingham, Iowa Permit No. 3

SCRIPTURE FOR OCTOBER

October 3 Philemon Nobody’s Business

October 10 Luke 17:11-19 It’s All Good

October 17 Luke 18:1-8 Bugging God

October 24 Luke 18:9-14 Nothing Special

October 31 Luke 19:1-10 Scenic View

October Ushers: Trent & Jana Ryan

October Greeters: 3rd-Paul & Donna Lindeman; 10th-Chris & Lora

Olson; 17th-John & Jacque Moffitt; 24th-Brian

& Deb Weber; 31st-Bob & JoAnn Higgins

October Acolytes: 3rd-Krystal Putz; 10th-Conal Jensen; 17th-

Valerie Ryan; 24th-Stallone Purdy; 31st-Rebekah

Leipold

Oct. Coffee Servers: JoAnn Higgins, Marlys Mitchell, Palyn Mitchell,

Deb Mumm

Flowers for October: Amy Mitchell

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

Emma Mitchell 2nd Mike & Heather Chingren 3rd

Blake Miehe 5th Dennis & Deb Reding 11th

LuAnne Pritchard 5th

Bob Higgins 8th

Jammie Howard 8th

Scott Powell 10th

Christine Benham 13th

Ashley Neuendorf 22nd

Larabeth Bader 23rd

Brayden Ryan 23rd

Anna Sash 24th

Donna Kersten 25th

Nickie Merkle 26th

Madyson Hill 28th

Keith Bader 30th

CHILDREN’S PAGE

U.M.W. NEWS

Meeting October 18, 6:30 p.m. @ Church

Hostess: Sheryl Brandt

Devotion Leader: Marlys Mitchell

Julie Cook, daughter of Jamie & Anne Cook, will present

the program. Julie traveled to Nicaragua this past summer

and worked in an orphanage, a nutrition center and at some schools for the dis-

abled. She will share with us about her experiences.

Ingathering List: 1—7-8” comb, 1 nail clipper with file

Completed Ingathering kits are due at the church by October 24.

October 2 Iowa Conference UMW Annual Meeting in Sioux City

October 15-17 Mission Education Event, Marshalltown

Salvation Army Opportunity

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the

noon meal at the Salvation Army in Waterloo on Wednes-

day, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please let Mar-

lys Mitchell or LuAnne Pritchard know if you are able to

help.

PASTORAL MINISTRY TABLE

The Pastoral Ministry table continues this month

in the fellowship hall. The following women are

asked to furnish items such as craft items, baked

goods, canned goods along with the garden produce

each Sunday of the month. The women for October

are: Deb Weber, Lora Olson, Pat Peckham, Kalyn

Putz, Delores Reints, Jana Ryan and Diana Sash.

You do not necessarily need to be on this month’s

committee to provide for the table. Any and all

items are welcome. The freewill offering will go to a cause designated by

the Outreach & Witness Committee.

Administrative Council Summary – September 21

Pastor Christie and ten members were present.

Committee Reports/Council Action Pastor’s Report

The Community Thanksgiving service will be held at Geneseo UMC on Sun-

day, November 21 at 3:00 p.m. The Coffee House and Sunday school classes

have resumed. Pastor is leading a women’s Bible study. Men’s Bible study

continues. Planning has begun for the Sunday school Christmas program.

The Ice Cream Social was a success. Pastor Christie asks members to join

her in discovering ways to reach out in intentional ways to our neighbors

with God’s love.

Board of Trustees Action

The parsonage will be painted in 2011. Barkdall Painting, Garrison, will

scrape and paint the exterior sanctuary window trim this fall. Shamrock

Lawn Care, Dysart, will spray weeds and fertilize the lawn twice annually in

addition to mowing. A wall mounted changing table will be installed in the

Kiddo Kare nursery.

Memorial Committee Action

A flat screen TV will be mounted in the Sunday school department. The chil-

dren are viewing a brief video each week which the class lessons and activi-

ties are based on.

Lay Leadership

This committee is preparing nominations for the 2011 roster of officers and

committee members.

Technology

The audio/visual recordings of the weekly worship services will be put on

―Our Church Videos‖ website.

Mission and Ministry Plan, 2011

Pastor Christie led the Council in collaborating to set goals for evangelism,

worship, faith development, financial stewardship and leadership develop-

ment.

HARVEST PRAYER LIST

Please pray for the following individuals

during this harvest time.

Ken Adolph Philip Mitchell

Keith Bader Wade Mitchell

David Baldwin Harry Moeller

Ed Baldwin Jacque Moffitt

Joe Brandt John Moffitt

Angela Coverdale Brian Morrison

Barb Coverdale Ron Mumm

Matt Coverdale Adam Nechanicky

Crees Family Mark Nechanicky

Chris Foss Kenny Ollendieck

Lloyd Hager Lonnie Ollendieck

Steve Hager Matt Ollendieck

Ken Herman Mindy Ollendieck

Bob Higgins Chad Purdy

Andy Hill David Sash

Bob Hill Kevin Sash

Eric Hill John Schneider

Steve Hill Mike Sinn

Jeff Hoeg Marshall Stelley

Craig Holub Bill Stoakes

Jeanne Holub Dennis Stoakes

Rodney Kavalier Marvin Taylor

Dennis Kersten Joe Tecklenburg

Gary Kersten Stan Tow

Dan Krug Dan Vogeler

Paul Lindeman Brandon Volkens

Rod Lorenz Mark Volkens

Larry Lorenzen John Wagner

Wayne McQuilkin Brian Weber

Clay Mitchell Nick Whitmore

Craig Mitchell Wilfred Yuska

Dennis Mitchell Bob Zeien

Drew Mitchell

Guy Mitchell

Ken Mitchell

October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

31 9:00 a.m. Worship

10:15 a.m. Sunday School

11:15 a.m. Trunk or Treat

Ushers:

Trent & Jana

Ryan

Coffee: JoAnn Higgins

Marlys Mitchell

Palyn Mitchell

Deb Mumm

Flowers:

1 2

8:30 a.m. UMM

Bible Study

3

9:00 a.m. Worship w/

Communion

10:00 a.m. Fellowship

4

6:30 p.m. SPRC Meeting

5

6

7:30 p.m. Choir

7

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible

Study

8

9

8:30 a.m. UMM Bible

Study

10

9:00 a.m. Worship

10:15 a.m. Sunday

School

11

6:30 p.m. Nurture Com-

mittee Meeting

12

13

6:30 Praise Band

7:30 p.m. Choir

14

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible

Study

15

16

8:30 a.m. UMM Bible

Study

17

9:00 a.m. Worship

10:15 a.m. Sunday

School

18

6:30 p.m. UMW Meeting

@ Church

6:30 p.m. Trustees

Meeting

19

6:30 p.m. Administra-

tive Board Meeting

20

9:00 a.m. Salvation

Army

6:30 Praise Band

7:30 p.m. Choir

21

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible

Study

22

23

8:30 a.m. UMM Bible

Study

24

9:00 a.m. Worship

10:15 a.m. Sunday

School

25

26

27

6:30 Praise Band

28

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible

Study

29 30

COMPASSION COFFEE HOUSE

The youth of Geneseo would like to thank eve-ryone for supporting the Compassion Coffee House. It has been a year since the Coffee House was opened and to date the youth have given $456.00 to their Compassion child, Jordy. Jordy lives in Columbia and the sponsorship provides Jordy with Bible classes, nutritious food, medical and dental care, sports, academic support and so much more. The Compassion Coffee House is open three Sundays a month following the wor-ship service.

THANK YOU

Jean Beenken would like to thank every-one for the birthday wishes and cards she received on her birthday. They were very much appreciated.

THE WOLF CREEK PLAYERS…

…Community Theatre in Dysart will pre-

sent two short plays on Halloween weekend.

The rumor is that several people you know

from Geneseo (like Tony John, Catherine Lei-

pold and Jana Ryan) may just show up on-

stage! Come and support your friends and our

local arts community! Check out the Wolf

Creek Players Facebook page for more info…

ICE CREAM SOCIAL “THANK YOU!”

Last month’s Ice Cream Social was a wonderfully attended

event! We had a large crowd. All the proceeds will go directly

to our community.

A big thank you to everyone who helped in any way to make

the Ice Cream Social a success year after year. Also, thank you

to Duane & Dixie Christian for all their hours in coordinating this

event.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

The deadline for the November newsletter is Friday, October 22. Please have all articles to the secretary by 9:00 that morning. Thanks.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The “Make A Difference Tour” is coming to Cedar Rapids Wednesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.—featuring Max Lucado, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and Third Day! This is an amazing lineup and we have access to a limited number of tickets for $25.00 each. Contact Pastor Christie if you’d like more info.

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Christian Education: Learning for LIFE!

God invites us to grow in grace throughout our lives. At Geneseo, we know that our

faith is strengthened and we are encouraged to live in a challenging world through the

time we share together in God’s word. Do you long to know the Lord better? Would you

like help in living for Jesus every day? Come and explore the treasure of Scripture

through any of these studies. Don’t see something that interests you or fits into your

schedule? Contact Pastor Christie and let’s see if we can create a study plan that will work

for you!

Sunday mornings at 10:15

Prekindergarten through 5th Grade – Fantastic World

We explore God’s word through the adventures of a girl named Molly Pickens and the

friends she meets in the Fantastic World. Crafts, games, Bible memory verses and music

reinforce the lessons we learn each week about God’s love.

Youth 6th Grade through 12th Grade – Encounter

This age group begins each week with ministry in the

Compassion Coffeehouse, then with a time of discussion and

learning with ―Encounter‖ – a curriculum just for youth.

―Encounter‖ brings teens the message of the Bible and re-

lates spiritual truths to the world around them.

Sunday School for Adults- The Life You’ve Always Wanted

This curriculum begins with a DVD introduction of the

day’s theme followed by Bible study and discussion. We are

discovering ways to bring God’s transforming power into our

everyday lives through spiritual habits like slowing down,

celebrating, praying and serving others.

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. – Women’s Study

―Seek God First‖ is a Bible study which explores the importance of surrendering our

minds, bodies, emotions and souls to Jesus. It is part of a program called First Place 4

Health which for 25 years has helped women create balance in the four core areas of their

lives – emotional, spiritual, emotional and physical. The results? Total health from the in-

side out!

Saturday at 8:30 a.m. – Men’s Bible Study

Breakfast is served along with great study and discussion. We are currently winding

our way through the book of Hebrews. We go through a chapter a week, ask questions,

explore the connections we find with our chapter and the rest of the Bible and always dis-

cover a fresh word from the Lord! All men are invited for encouragement and learning.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

This Sunday we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper

with Christians throughout the world on World

Communion Sunday. We will also join United

Methodist congregations throughout the nation in a

special offering for scholarships, loans and training

for ethnic minority students in the United States and

international students. This program seeks to sup-

port students whose study focus will relate directly

to mission and to the elimination of poverty, expansion of global health, lead-

ership development or congregational development. Le us give generously

in the name of the Lord of all nations, ages and races!

PILLARS OF THE FAITH

Because Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses, or thoughts, to a church door

in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, many Christian remember that

day and the major changes, or Reformation, that resulted.

Luther’s theses contained three main pillars, which have stood for almost

500 years:

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) — The Bible is the sole authority in

matters of faith, life and conduct. ―All scripture is inspired by God and is

useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in right-

eousness‖ (2 Timothy 3:16, NRSV).

2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone) — Christians are justified, or declared righteous,

only through believing in Jesus Christ as Savior. Although morality and

good works are important, they alone cannot lead to salvation. ― A person

is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus

Christ‖ (Galatians 2:16, NRSV).

3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) — Grace is God’s unmerited, or undeserved,

favor. Salvation is a free gift from our gracious God. ―For by grace you

have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift

of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast‖ (Ephesians

2:8-9, NRSV).