The Messenger JANUARY 2016

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday 8:00 am - Plover, 202 Smith St.

Sunday School 9:00 am - Pocahontas

Sunday 10:00 am - Pocahontas, 306 2nd Ave NW

Pastor Jerry Miller email: pastorhopeumc@evertek.net Cell Ph. 712-335-2273

Church Office Mon.-Fri. Hours: 9:00 - 3:30pm

email: hopeumc@evertek.net Ph. 712-335-3663 Fax: 712-335-3406

Keep in touch with Hope UMC: hopeumcia.org

Hope UMC—Pocahontas, Havelock & Plover

MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER Sunday, January 24th

following worship

at the Pocahontas Center (Chris Cakes)

Human Relations Day Offering

January 17, 2016

What Is Stephen Ministry?

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill

the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers -

called Stephen Ministers - to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-

centered care to people who are hurting.

How Stephen Ministry Works

The best way to understand how Stephen Ministry works is to learn about three groups of peo-

ple involved in this ministry: Stephen Leaders, Stephen Ministers, and Care Receivers.

Stephen Leaders - Direct the overall ministry in the congregation.

People learn to serve as Stephen Leaders by attending a Leader’s Training Course - a one-week

conference that introduces the resources used to lead Stephen Ministry, develops key skills, and

gets people excited about this caring ministry. Most congregations begin with two to three Ste-

phen Leaders, typically including a pastor and one or more lay leaders. Training will be: April 10-

16 in St. Louis, MO Renaissance Airport Hotel.

Stephen Ministers - are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality,

one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually pro-

vides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. Once

a month, Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing ed-

ucation.

Care Receivers - are congregation members who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These

are people struggling through a difficult time in life - experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic

or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.

The Blessings of Stephen Ministry - Congregations receive a practical powerful way to respond

to Christ’s commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Pastors have a team of gifted, trained and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to

hurting people.

Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve

others.

People who are hurting have a compassionate companion - a caring Christian friend who pro-

vides emotional and spiritual support. Questions? Please talk with me.

‘See you at worship, Pastor Jerry

Wondering About the Weather?

In the Event of Bad Winter Weather—Please Check the following sources of information about Weather Cancellations affecting Worship or Evening meetings. Thank you.

Hope UMC Website: hopeumcia.org

Facebook: Hope UMC-Pocahontas, Havelock & Plover

Email: Large group emails will be sent

Telephone Calls: Phone tree calling will also be used

KCCI: Channel 8 (CBS) TV in Des Moines

KICD: 107.7 FM Radio in Spencer

Mel Powers 90th Birthday! January 6, 2016

Send Mel a Birthday Greeting to:

Mel Powers

c/o Humboldt Care Center North

1111 11th Avenue North

Humboldt, IA 50548

Be sure to look at the new program books and mark your calendars with the dates of the

2016 meetings. There are only four general UMW meetings including Vespers. Your attend-

ance at these meetings is encouraged. Four UMW members are sharing the leadership re-

sponsibilities with one assigned to each quarter. There will be quarterly executive committee

meetings for everyone listed on page 2 of the program book and the circle chairpersons. The

first quarter meeting is being changed from Jan. 14 to Feb. 11 at 1:30 pm in the Friendship

Room at the Pocahontas Center. Your input is valued so please attend the exec meetings.

January events:

° Charity Circle – Jan. 7, Program – Ernella Van Horn

Call to Prayer and Self-Denial

° Jan. 10 – Installation of church and UMW officers

° Peace Circle – Jan. 13, Program – Vicki Kerns

Call to Prayer and Self-Denial

Bible verse for January: John 15:11 NRSV “I have said these things to you so that my joy may

be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Looking forward

to 2016

LIBRARY NEWS

We have recently acquired a number of new books in the library!

Here is just a sampling of what’s been added:

Daily Readings from Become a Better You, and

several other books by Joel Osteen.

Chicken Soup for the Father’s Soul , Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul, and several other “Chicken Soup” books.

The 150 Most Important Bible Verses, written

using a devotion-type format.

Each of these four highlighted books are composed of short readings/devotions. Perfect for busy people who can only read a few pages at a time!

Change a Child’s

Story UPDATE

There is a lot to tell you about what Hope UMC has been doing to Change a Child’s Story

in the last couple of months. The dollars have grown to $1000, 84 books have been or-

dered, and will be given to 84 children. Materials to help parents with ways to encourage

their child’s reading are being prepared. Labels have been made to show that the books

are a gift from Hope UMC. Plans are already underway to do this two more times this

school year and once a quarter next year.

At this time 4 of our members are spending a couple of hours a week volunteering in low-

er elementary classrooms at Pocahontas Elementary school. Judy Boysen, Sharyn Cook,

Dixie Gottsch and Karen Hauswirth report that the teachers are enthusiastic about the

program and the kids can’t wait to read to them.

Thanks to your generous contributions to the “gently-used” book drive, 100 books have

been placed at the Upper Des Moines Outreach Center for children to take home, read &

enjoy, and return.

Other Mission News

The mission committee selected 3 projects at home and in Iowa to receive donations

from our mission budget. $250 will be added to the Christmas giving from Hope UMC for

Upper Des Moines Outreach Center. In October and November UDMO served 235 fami-

lies! $250 will go to Justice for Our Neighbors. In Iowa, two Iowa JFON immigration attor-

neys provide free legal immigration assistance to low- income immigrants at five JFON

sites including one in Storm Lake. And $250 will go to Women at the Well, the women’s

prison congregation at Mitchellville where the United Methodist Church is a continuing

presence. Plus, through the noisy offering collections, $751 will help treat and beat ma-

laria.

Hope UMC goes beyond its walls – across the street, into the county, and around the

state and world. Thank You.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS †

Lectionary Scriptures

January 3 Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14,

Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

January 10 Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17,

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 17 Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10,

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

January 24 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19,

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21

Jan 3 Ray Timan Liturgist

Jan 3 Tim & Elaine Cook Comm Stwd's

Jan 3 Ginger Ernst Fellowship

Jan 3 John & Martie Nedved Fellowship

Jan 10 Carol McLain Liturgist

Jan 10 Bill & Connie Sievert Fellowship

Jan 10 Shirley Allen Fellowship

Jan 17 Melissa Rahn Liturgist

Jan 17 Bruce & Carolyn Wheatley Fellowship

Jan 17 Jeremy & Melissa Riesenberg Fellowship

Jan 24 Donna Hull Liturgist

Jan 24 Ray & Judy Timan Fellowship

Jan 24 Betty Braunschweig Fellowship

Jan 31 Donnie McLain Liturgist

Jan 31 Dixie Gottsch Fellowship

Jan Gage Bunda Acolyte Poc

Jan Chase Cook Acolyte Poc

Jan Don McLain Usher Poc

Jan Pat McGovern Usher Poc

Jan Jerry Severson Usher Poc

Jan Jack Moellering Usher Poc

Worship Attendance at Hope UMC

Members celebrating Anniversaries & Birthdays!

David & Tracy Grothaus 1/4

Bruce & Judy Boysen 1/7

Steve & Diane Woodin 1/24

Paul Speer 1/2

Brook Peters 1/3

Kammie Shearer 1/3

Elizabeth Vader 1/4

Jean Trimble 1/5

Jordan Beneke 1/5

Mel Powers 1/6

Bernard Gathers 1/6

Dane Hubbell 1/7

Matthew Wheatley 1/11

Molly Trimble 1/12

Ray Timan 1/13

Riley Hopkins 1/13

Jordan Westerman 1/14

Bill Boysen 1/15

Joe Hopkins 1/16

Brandon Arnold 1/18

Nick Kerns 1/19

Joyce Murray 1/19

Nicki Bunda 1/21

David Byerly 1/21

Kay Hoffert 1/21

Rory Bunda 1/22

Mary Hallman 1/23

Amber Rahn 1/23

Lois Speer 1/24

Mike Speer 1/25

Steve Baade 1/25

Jim Swanson 1/25

Don McLain 1/28

Betty Abrahamson 1/28

DJ Poss 1/28

Micah Waterman 1/30

Hunter Grothaus 1/31

Mike Wiemers 1/31

Molly Hopkins 1/31

DATE POCAHONTAS HAVELOCK PLOVER TOTAL

November 29 58 25 83

December 6 89 34 123

December 13 142 96 46

December 20 149 63 212

December 24 174

Christmas

Eve 174

December 27 75 33 108