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JULY NEWSLETTER

Feedback

Please remember those listed below in prayer:

  • Lexi Wahlert
  • Ray Boomershine
  • Jim Klampe
  • Dean Comstock (Harold Comstock's brother)
  • Kim Stephen (cousin to Grubbs, Comstocks, & Rouws)
  • Allan Rouw (brother-in-law to Grubbs, Comstocks, & Rouws)
  • Rodger Rothfus (Lorelle's father)
  • Julie Pollard (friend of Kim Gile)
  • Joyce Degeest (friend of Karen Harris)
  • Trish Degeest (friend of Karen Harris)
  • Bodie Osburn (Heather Stevens' cousin's baby-premature with complications)
  • Jill Shaull (friend of Kathy Butler)

Military

Kyrsten DeWees, daughter of Rick & Michelle DeWees

Kelly Lane, granddaughter of Phyllis Lane

From the Pastor

Throughout the month of June, Molly and I preached a sermon series entitled “Your Part Matters.” At First Christian Church, it’s easy to see the visible leaders—Elders, board members, preachers, musicians—but Scripture reminds us that every person in the church has a vital role to play. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:18, “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.” That includes those who rock babies in the nursery, greet with a warm smile at the door, or run the sound and slides on Sundays without being noticed.


Every one of your gifts contribute to the whole church here at First Christian. Romans 12:4–5 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”


Some of us serve through prayer, others through organizing meals, cleaning up the coffee station every Sunday, mentoring youth, or quietly showing up when someone needs a listening ear. These are not small things. They are sacred things. When we recognize that no role and no person is insignificant, we can begin to reflect the kind of community Jesus taught us to work toward and live out—where love, humility, and service bind us together.


As Henri Nouwen once wrote:

"We are not called to be successful, but faithful. Our little acts of faithfulness, even if they seem insignificant in the eyes of the world, are precious in God’s eyes."


May we continue to be the Body of Christ—where every part is valued, every gift is honored, and every person is needed.


As always, I look forward to seeing you, especially in worship,

Pastor Robert

2025 Elders & Officers of the Board


Elders

1-yr term:

Kathy Butler

Sherry DeJong (Elders Secretary)

Tim DeJong

Gene Fynaardt (Board Vice Chair)

Eric Palmer (Elders Chair)


2-yr term:

Linda Cohrt

Laura Ginaven

Lorri Grubb (Elders Vice Chair)

Brook VanRheenen


Diaconate

1-yr term:

Carrie Bowie (Board Secretary)

Jon Butler (Board Chair)

Terry DeJong

Eric Held

Karen Rouw

Keri Shepard

Heather Stevens

Diane Stewart (Board Treasurer)


2-yr term:

Jim Brandriff

Dennis Green

Kayla Martin

Brian Myers

FCC covers 50% of camp cost!

Please update your printed directory.


Dennis & Sharon Palmer

2855 SW Vintage Parkway

Ankeny, IA 50023


Patty Cleland

1612 S Park Ave

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

2025 Financial Summary

$35,593.51

1/1/2025 Checking Balance

$77,352.21

Giving

$1,033.34

Misc. Income

$(106,674.64)

Expenses

$(28,289.09)

Difference

$5,000.00

Transfer from (to) Savings

$12,304.42

4/30/2025 Checking Balance

Our Service Personnel

Kyrsten DeWees

She is home now

Kelly Del Rio Lane

Do not have current address

Sympathies are extended to family and friends of Bess Uitermarkt upon her death May 30, 2025.

 

Sympathies are extended to family and friends of Genny Coppersmith upon her death June 2, 2025.

Visitation and memorial service will be Monday, July 7, 10 AM at the First Christian Church.

 

Sympathies are extended to family and friends of Bob Jones upon his death June 6, 2025.

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Thank you to Molly and Robert Goodrich and the members of the First Christian Church who supported us during Bob’s stay at Serenity House.

We can’t thank you enough for all the visits, thoughts and prayers, and the car shuttle rides between Serenity House and Homestead.

We are grateful to all members who donated, prepared and served food for Bob’s funeral lunch.

We appreciate our amazing ministers who supported us during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Violet Jones & Family

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Congratulations to Jake & Jamie Young on the birth of their daughter, Hattie Diane, born June 12, 2025. She was 6 lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

Proud grandparents are Scott & Diane Stewart.

Men's Ministry

Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall for Men's Dominoes.

On behalf of Church Women United in Iowa (and Mahaska County), tabs from aluminum cans of all sizes are being collected to provide personal items for human trafficking survivors who are recovering in 3 safe houses in Iowa. Please bring donations in zipper storage bags and drop off in the basket.

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1 - Connie Louderback

Amy Miller

2 - Nick Louderback

3 - Camryn Bowie

Bob Gatton

5 - Brenda Callahan

Remi Knoot

6 - Everil Faulkner

7 - Bently Holdsworth

Sharon Lockard

Kalianna Shepard

8 - Ray Boomershine

Amanda Foster

Sherrill Helm

Jason Mattix

Rick Stevens

9 - Lorelei Hostetler

Doug VanRoekel

11 - Connor Banicky

Waylon Bolibaugh

Lee Jones

12 - Jon Butler

Margie Fritz

Dennis Palmer

14 - Mike Slycord

Jana VanHulzen

15 - KiJana DeJong

Terry Norris

16 - Hunter Holdsworth

18 - Bryan Butler

Rod Hicks

19 - Karen Keep

Vincent Provenzano

20 - Koen Martin

22 - Tim DeJong

Bruce VanderMeyden

24 - John Wayne

26 - Diana Shadduck

27 - Ranae Banicky

Donna Bixler

Joziah Zaldarriaga

28 - Jason Hicks

Joel Hicks

Pat Miletich

Katie Taylor

Natalie Wayne

29 - Jenna Stewart

31 - Bennett Foster

Darlene Veldhuizen

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Doug & Lisa VanRoekel

July 2, 2016


Joel & Allison Stout

July 3, 2010


Brett & Amanda Doud

July 7, 2007


Nick & Amber Coffey

July 7, 2012


Jon & Kris Butler

July 9, 1971


Ron & Carol Knoot

July 9, 1982


David & Kim Gile

July 9, 1988


Matt & Kara Denburger

July 9, 2005


Harold & Carole Comstock

July 15, 1967


Dan & Teresa Augustine

July 20, 1984


Jason & Tara Crile

July 22, 1995


Aaron & Emily Hinnah

July 27, 2013


Todd & Amy Miller

July 28, 1990


BJ & Carrie Bowie

July 31, 2010

Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

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A welcoming place where people feel a connection to God through

Jesus Christ and a commitment to each other, our community, and the world. 

First Christian Church

119 A Ave E

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

(641) 673-4671

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