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July 2023 Newsletter
Sunday Worship
10 AM
Sunday Fellowship
11 AM
Worship services will continue to be live streamed on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You can either use the Facebook Link or the YouTube Link to see the live feed, or even worship a little later if you need to. Use the buttons below to choose which link fits your needs best.
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Sunday, July 2
Yes, And
Acts 8:26-40
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What if we simply sought to be faithful to who we are and who God calls us to be?
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
– Matthew 10:5-10 (Message Version)
Faithfulness is a living and breathing thing. It calls for activity. Often we think of it in relation to it’s opposite: unfaithfulness, particularly in terms of a relationship. However, in relationships, if we limit it to ‘what we can’t do” we neglect the ways that we can be faithful in active ways. Faithfulness is about living in positive ways – giving our attention, our trust, our work, even our very lives. The thing is, to be faithful to God, we don’t need a lot of extra equipment. Being faithful as a congregation doesn’t require anything more than we already have – we don’t need more equipment, more people, more money, more…anything. We can be faithful as we are, listening to God’s Spirit as she moves through our church, our world, our neighbor, and each other. This season we will explore what it means for us to be faithful to God as individuals and as the church!
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July Worship
July 9
Special Guests Williamson Branch
Miniseries: "Sowing the Seeds of Love: A Pair of Parables
July 16
"How to Grow a Faith" Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
July 23
"Looks Can Be Deceiving" Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
July 30
"Pressing On Toward the Goal" Philippians 3:12-14
Guest Preacher, Carla Hillyer
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“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58:6-11
The 2023 General Assembly theme is “Kindom of God within Us Among Us.” No, that is not a typographical error; the ‘g’ is not there intentionally!
Jesus talked often about the “Kingdom of God” (or, in Matthew’s reflection on Jesus’ life, the “Kingdom of Heaven”). It becomes more and more clear, however, as Jesus goes on in his ministry: the way he lives and how he talks about this “Kingdom” that he is using the word subversively. The “Kingdom of God” was so radically different from any kingdoms of the world – in Jesus’ immediate context the kingdom of Rome – as to be completely opposite. For example, the pax Romana in the kingdom of Rome was established and maintained through invasion, violence, and taxation, whereas the Kingdom of God was established and maintained through faith, hope, and charity. The kingdoms of this world are often based on the strong overpowering the weak, taking what you can get, seeking power and riches, whereas the Kingdom of God is based on the last being first, the weak being strong, mutual sharing, and community building. Jesus spoke regularly of this community of mutual care and invites his disciples to live that out.
Further, we don’t speak much about kingdoms in our day and age – well, outside the church. The language Jesus uses does not have the same edge to it that it did in his day. As language changes it becomes important to find new ways to describe what Jesus and his message is all about. It is important, as we seek new language, that we take seriously what Jesus meant when he said the things he said, and to do our best to reflect that in the words we use.
Our General minister and President, the Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens said of the word ‘Kindom’ in a sermon recently ‘that theologians today are exploring the kindom of God as a new way of thinking about the reign of God. Without the “g,” kindom is gender neutral and is freed from the connotations of kingdom, including imperialism, monarchy, pomp and circumstance, edicts, mandate and pageantry.’ (The Chautaquan Daily online, “God’s world is ‘kindom,’ not kingdom, Hord Owens preaches” viewed June 28, 2023)
Theologian Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz is credited with the idea of “Kindom of God” a translation of her “Familia de Dios” as she writes primarily in Spanish. Kindom emphasizes the familial connectivity of kinship which figures so prominently in Jesus’ teaching.
While I probably will not completely drop the language of “Kingdom of God”, this new way of describing what God is up to in the world offers some promise in accurately portraying what Jesus was saying. It is descriptive of the kind of world and anti-power structure that Jesus preached, lived, and invited his disciples…and us…to be a part of in the here and now.
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
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General Assembly
The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will take place July 29-August 1 this year in Louisville, KY. The theme is Kindom of God Within Us Among Us. There are a number of ways to participate in these events, including digital access. You can find out more information at ga.disciples.org. In preparation for this event where decisions are made and worship is held and learning abounds, there is a denomination wide prayer week to bathe our event in prayer. Our General Church is hosting weekly prayers on Thursday evenings at 6 pm CDT, June 22 - July 20. These prayers will be livestreamed (and then available) on our Disciples general church Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/christianchurchdoc) and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianChurchDOC/streams).
Join Disciples across the country and around the world as we pray for our church and the General Assembly) Pastor Owen will be attending the Assembly from July 30-August 1. He welcomes your prayers for his travel as well as his participation in the Assembly!
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A Special Opportunity for Hospitality
The Visit by the Williamson Branch Family will provide a marvelous opportunity for Ankeny Christian Church to put our hospitality skills on display! Not only will we be hosting the family with a Potluck dinner, but we will undoubtedly have guests from the community. Prior to worship we will have drinks and snacks available for folk who are visiting to enjoy the music in worship with us. Please, be ready to welcome these folk with our warm smiles and inviting presence.
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Owen Out of Office
Pastor Owen will be out of the office from July 23-29 for Adventure Camp at the Christian Conference Center and from July 31-August 2 for General Assembly. He will be back in worship on August 6. Carla Hillyer will be preaching on July 30.
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Fall Women's Retreat
September 22-24, 2023
Lake Koronis Assembly Grounds
Paynesville, MN
Keynote Speaker: Melissa Guthrie, Greensboro NC (Hometown Marshalltown, IA)
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A reference of our theme for the weekend: Colors of Hope, Melissa Guthrie, Editor
Chaplain: Deb Murphy, First Christian: Minneapolis, MN
Registration:
Pine Lodge - $160
Sunrise - $210, 2-4 people
Sunrise - $260, Single
Invite a friend!! Scholarships available
Interested in helping? Have a gift to share? Contract your Retreat Coordinators:
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STATE FAIR OPPORTUNITY
How would you like a free ticket to the State Fair? Or, better yet, how would you like free parking at the State Fair? The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest has, for many years, led a hymn sing in the old church there on the fairgrounds. As a part of that, there is a children’s moment. There is a need for people willing to lead the children’s moment. Here’s the really cool part – you don’t even have to come up with the material for the children’s moment…it is already picked out. All you have to do is show up, do the children’s moment, then you have the rest of the day to enjoy the fair! You can’t beat a deal like that. If you are interested, please let pastor Owen or Georgene know and they can get you connected!
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Kudos and Celebrations!!!
- Judy Johnson and Shelby Skinner for assembling the cards for people to send- helping us to bless others with a good word!
- Cathy Helmke and the Christian Ed Committee for Celebrating Grads and giving Bibles.
- All those that have agreed to be Counselors and Directors from ACC at Church Camp.
- The 12 youth and the sponsors (Lori Krase-Cayton, Darin Leach, and Mary St. Clair) for representing ACC on a mission trip to Chicago.
- Cathy Helmke and her mother for hosting our youth mission trip participants at Papa Bob's Playhouse for a little sabbath time on their way home from the mission trip
- Connections Team- led by Pat Morton and Georgene Raver- for providing a card and small gift to our graduates
- Eleke Ukpabi, Shanon Buckroyd, Judy Shelburg, and Larry Squier for joining Pastor Owen in a collaboration and brainstorming group
- Frank Prowant for replacing the battery, the pads, and the data board on the Heart/Lifesaving device in the Fellowship Hall (and eliminating that annoying beeping!!)
- An extra shout out to Lori Krase-Cayton for planning the youth mission trip
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Ankeny Love Lunches – phase 2 (July 31-August 3)
As our July ACC newsletter ‘goes to press’, we are nearing the end of our first four-day (June 26-29) run of leadership for Ankeny Love Lunches at Sunset Park. We will now turn our attention to our second four-day leadership run (July 31-August 3). We’ll use the same approach for signing up as we did a month ago. You can use www.signupgenius.com to sign up or you can sign up manually on the sheets posted in the narthex. A member of the Missions Committee will enter the manual sign-up names on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e054baea62ca1f58-2022/67690847#/. Signing up online is also available to the other churches helping out at Sunset Park, so you may get to work with some people you haven’t known before. So far, the response to the Love Lunch meals has been good, with an average turnout of over seventy (includes children and accompanying adults) each day. If you would like to also sign up online for days before or beyond July 31- August 3, other churches will leading the serving of Love Lunches Monday-Thursday July 3 through August 17 – with two exceptions – July 4 and July 26 (RAGBRAI). If you have any questions, please contact Georgene or Steve Raver. Thank you.
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Office Update
Please send any photos you may take while out and about at Church events either on the facebook pages or to the office, ankenyccdoc@gmail.com. We would really like to showcase what we are doing as a faith community on our website as well!
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July Birthdays
7/6 Linda Clapper
Lucas Neitzel
7/9 Evan St. Clair
7/14 Tarah Widaman
7/15 Mattai Cayton
Sophia Neitzel
7/17 Erica Channels
7/19 Chance Schroeder
7/21 Lisa Vroegh
7/24 Langley Vroegh
7/26 Maegan Serrano
7/30 Jackie Black
7/31 Melissa Serrano
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July Anniversaries
7/1 Thomas & Tanya Cox
7/12 John & Kayla Harris
7/16 Steve & Georgene Raver
7/23 Greg & Sarah Wright
7/28 Chuck & Karen Fausch
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If you would like to continue (or begin) to contribute to the work of the church financially, you can mail in a check to 2506 SW 3rd Street Ankeny, Iowa 50023 or you can give online by clicking the link below. There you can set up one time or recurring donations. | |
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Current Office Staff:
Pastor Owen Cayton, Senior Minister
pastorocayton@gmail.com
Nathan Green, Music Director
nategreenaccdoc@gmail.com
Kasey Romano, Office Manager
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
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2023 Leadership
Officers:
- President: Eleke Ukpabi
- President Elect: Open
- Past President, Chair Personnel Committee: David Rawson
- Treasurer: Jackie Black
- Member at Large: Pat Warner
- Check Writer: John Lee
- Chair of PRC: Darin Leach
- PRC Members: Darin Leach, Randy Wehofer, Frank Prowant, Dorothy Mathis, Karen Fausch, and Mike St. Clair
- Nominating Committee: Rob Duffy, Lori Leach, Judy Krase
Current Committee Chairs:
- Christian Education: Cathy Helmke
- Stewardship & Finance: Open
- Property: Tom Murphy
- Worship: Open
- Social Life: Open
- Evangelism: Open
- Missions: Open
- Endowment: Dorothy Mathis
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Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please stay home and participate in worship online. The COVID task force would also like to encourage all of those who are eligible to get vaccinated. | |
Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
515-964-1083
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
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