|
|
July 2024 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.
|
|
|
July 7
Sufficient Grace
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
| |
|
July 14
Music Sunday
Psalm 98
| |
|
We know that love comes from God, and sometimes we experience it directly. More often, God’s love in manifest in relationships of all kinds that weave in and out of our lives. We
see God’s love in close friends and family – those we are born into and those we chose along the way. We see God in quiet moments where we are present with each other and in acts of profound grace when we have been far apart. We hear God in life guiding and life changing words of truth from those who know and love us. We know that such love links our lives, teaching us about commitment, intimacy, grace, and faith. As we seek to create and strengthen life giving relationships, we remember that such love flows from God, links us all together, and we give thanks.
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
- 1 John 4:7
| |
|
July 21
Linked in Love
Colossians 3:12-14
July 28
Karen Fausch Preaching
Linked Through Acceptance
Luke 20:38-42
August 4
Linked and Present
JOB 2:11-13
August 11
Linked in Truth
Exodus 18:5-24
August 18
Rev. Lisa Grace Preaching Linked to Change
Philemon 1:8-17
August 25
Linked to Love
1 John 4:7-21
| |
|
Remaining 2024 Council Meeting Dates
June 30th
July 28th
August 25th
September 29th
October 27th
November 24th
| |
|
Pastor's Ponderings
“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.”
-Matthew 10:14
“But [the LORD] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
-2 Corinthians 12:9
This past week has seen two states impose regulations on public schools that cause me great concern. The Louisiana state legislature passed a law requiring the posting of the 10 commandments in classrooms throughout the state. The Oklahoma state superintendent ordered all public schools to incorporate the Bible into their curriculum as a historical text.
While I am not one who relegates religion simply to private or personal life – I do indeed believe faith has a public aspect, I don’t believe that these steps are consistent with the call of faith. These steps are a part of a much larger movement often known as Christian nationalism.
Christian nationalism seeks to merge Christian and American identities. This merging distorts both the Christian faith and the democracy that we celebrate. Christian nationalism makes the implication that to be a good American, one must be Christian, even a particular type of Christian.
Jesus, who went willingly to a Roman cross never sought power. Rather, he indicated that his Kingdom was not of this world. Jesus never seemed particularly interested in coercing people to follow him, to believe him, to live as he lived. Rather, he invited people, sometimes challenged folk, and always offered examples of grace, mercy, and life. He modeled, not power over others, but servant love. And his great commandment was “Love one another as I have loved you.”
At the same time, at the heart of our constitutional democracy, as opposed to monarchy or theocracy, is a desire, hope, and even imperative that people have the freedom of self-determination. When it comes to matters of faith the constitution prohibits the government to impose faith (of any kind) on its citizens. One can be a Muslim American, or a Hindu American, or an atheist American, or an agnostic American, or a Christian American, or…well, you get my point!
The long and the short of it is that I think we can and must stand opposed to Christian nationalism. I think we can love both God and country, while at the same time allowing others to choose their own path of
faith and citizenship.
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
| |
|
As part of our July Mission Emphasis, Ankeny Christian Church will serve dinner at the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter. Our serving date is July 17 at 6:00 p.m. a sign u sheet for volunteers to serve will be posted in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us in extending loving hospitality to those in our community without homes.
Likewise, we will have a tote in the coat closet for much needed items that are of greatest need for those at the shelter. We hope to fill the tote with these essentials to take to them when we go to serve on the 17th.
The following items are currently their greatest needs:
- Underwear (men's & women's)
- Towels
- Combs/brushes
- Deodorant
- Disposable razors
- Tooth brushes
- Toothpaste
- Plastic silverware
- Styrofoam/paper/plastic cups
- 1 potato/ French fry cutter (for kitchen)
It’s time to serve our sisters and brothers at Central Iowa Homeless Shelter!
| |
Church Camp Prayer Partners | |
|
As usual, Ankeny Christian Church is showing up big at church camp this summer. Let's show our support for our campers with prayers and mail! Prayer Partner cards will be available outside the sanctuary on Sunday mornings until all of our campers have prayer partners. Even if you don't choose to be a camper's prayer partner, feel free to send a note to any (or all!) of our campers to let them know you are thinking of them while they are on Holy Ground this summer.
Mail can be sent to:
Camper Name, Camp Session
c/o Christian Conference Center
5064 Lincoln St
Newtown, IA 50208
Or send an email to campermail@newtonccc.org with the camper's name, camp session as the subject line.
| |
Thank You to all of our Volunteers who helped with the Woodchip Detail! | |
|
RESPONSE-ABILITY
At the very heart of Ankeny Christian Church’s ministry is the spiritual practice of doing Mission. From it’s very beginning as a “new church start” to it’s current path of faithful servanthood, Ankeny Christian Church has intentionally engaged in mission trips, mission emphasis, mission projects, and mission mindfulness. The scope and focus for missions are far reaching: community crisis/needs, members crisis/needs, Regional and General Church efforts toward wholeness and witness, plus ability to respond to unforeseen events which call for people of faith to “show up.” As a congregation we have always had Mission on our hearts and in our minds. In order to do that we have needed the funding so that we are in the ready to RESPOND. Yes, we need RESPONSE-ABILITY (the ability to respond) to any situation that comes our way. One of the important links to our RESPONSE-ABILITY) is funding. Therefore, your Mission Committee has designated in July for Local Mission Fund Donations for unknown requests. Please give! We know the needs will arise, we know that the requests are forth coming, we know we want the ability to RESPOND when those opportunities come our way. Please support by giving to the Local Mission Fund.
| |
|
Ankeny Love Lunches - our second week to be the lead church
As this July newsletter was being put together, we were starting our first week of being the lead church for this summer's Ankeny Love Lunches program. Thank you to those who signed up to help. All of the 75 slots (15 slots per day) for the week have been filled. We now need to start the process of filling another 75 slots for the week of July 29 - August 2. New sign-up sheets will be posted in the narthex starting Sunday, June 30. We had such a good response for our first week. We need to continue that same response for our second week in order for us to keep this vital program going and providing lunches for many of Ankeny's children as well as their accompanying adults. If you have any questions about Ankeny Love Lunches, please contact Georgene or Steve Raver. Thank you.
Missions Committee
| |
|
Property Committee
There is no crystal ball to anticipate the weather in Iowa. As we all know we have experienced some dynamic events which did damage to our trees at ACC. The winds also blew some shingles off the building and on top of everything else, our 19 year old mower experienced a breakdown causing the need to purchase and install a new gear box.
So, a big shout out for all who participated in moving branches and trees, cutting branches and trees as well as helping clean up the debris after the city picked the debris up off the curb. None of these could have happened without members rolling up their sleeves and helping.
The mower required parts from out of state (taking up precious mowing opportunities during a very wet week) but once they got shipped the 60 inch Kubota was up and running. Again, our members volunteering to conduct the repairs allowed us to save a lot of money.
Along with the lawn mowing, we had members also volunteer to “plug” the lawn earlier this spring and apply herbicide to it.
The shingles have not been repaired on a permanent basis but the ones that blew off have been tentatively put back in place until our contractor gets out for the permanent fix and checking over all of the roof to assure some of those “next time the wind blows” matters that need attention.
We installed wood chips with help from our daycare partners for our playgrounds. This is no easy task that happens about every 3 or so years. We get the chips delivered and then with volunteer help and a skid steer, we spread the chips. Many comments about the ease and efficiency on this
project.
These are just some of the projects recently tackled by our church volunteers and a huge shoutout to our property committee volunteers. Thanks everyone to helping meet our property needs at ACC!
Arnie Porath
| |
|
Kudos and Celebrations
- Patrice Sayre, Karen Fausch, Georgene Raver, and Judy Shelburg for working with the Ankeny Christian Childcare children during the Week of the Child.
- For those who helped with the Children's Disaster Services Workshop:
- Steve and Georgene Raver and Arnie Porath-Picking up the trainers from the airport.
- Emily Porath- taking pictures and helping to host on Friday evening
- Marlys Lapham, Bev Morgan, Judy Krase, and Georgene Raver for helping to host on Saturday
- Chuck and Karen Fausch and Gary and Jackie Black- returning trainers to the airport
- Special Kudos to Judy Krase who connected Ankeny Christian Church with CDS and coordinating our hospitality efforts for them.
- Special Kudos to Grace Porath and Judy Krase who both attended the workshop
- Youth and Sponsors for Youth Sunday - Lori Krase-Cayton, Darin Leach, Mary St. Clair, Cathy Helmke, Levi Hart, Piper Houchinn, Evan St. Clair, Madi Shreffler, Zach Narwold, Kayla Leach, Caleb Porath, Christina Dean, Odin Helmke
- Bob Turner, Lisa Duffy, and Darin Leach for reading on Maundy Thursday
- Meal for Maundy Thursday: Marlys Lapham, Judy Johnson, Georgene Raver, Pat Fliger, JoAnn Smith, Patrice Sayre, and Judy Krase
- Maundy Thursday Setup and Clean up: Marlys Lapham, Georgene Raver, Steve Raver, Pat Fliger, Beverly Morgan, Judy Johnson, and Judy Krase
- Christian and Laura Hooper from the ACCC who staffed the nursery allowing all of our members and guests to participate in worship for Palm and Easter Sundays
- Karen Fausch for leading both a Sunday School class and a book study through Lent!
- Those who set up, cleaned up, and prepared food for the Easter breakfast.
- Work Weekend at the Christian Conference Center in Newton: Matt Porath, Cameron Porath, Grace Porath, Caleb Porath, Evan A (Friend of the Poraths) Jeff Patchin, Darin Leach, Steve Raver, Kayla Leach, Chuck Fausch, Arnie Porath, Bev Morgan, Judy Krase, and Marlys Lapham
- Christine Stoffa and Kasey for the Bulletin Boards in the entry way as well as Fellowship Hall
- Karen Rawson, Joanie Wehofer, Emily Porath, Mary St. Clair, Jenn Hauschildt, Latisha Ukpabi, Lori Krase-Cayton, and Judy Shelburg for representing ACC well as Music Trivia Champions at Ankeny High School Music Program's Trivia Night. Their counterparts David Rawson, Randy Wehofer, Matt Porath, Mike St. Clair, Jon Hauschildt, Eleke Ukpabi, Owen Cayton and Nate Shelburg made a good showing but didn't win the prizes!
| |
|
July Birthdays
7/6 Lucas Neitzel
7/9 Evan St. Clair
7/14 Tarah Widaman
7/15 Mattai Cayton
Sophia Neitzel
7/17 Erica Channels
7/21 Lisa Vroegh
7/22 Alyssa Argetsinger
7/24 Langley Vroegh
7/26 Maegan Serrano
7/30 Jackie Black
7/31 Melissa Serrano
| |
|
July Anniversaries
7/1 Thomas & Tanya Cox
7/12 Kayla & John Harris
7/16 Georgene & Steve Raver
7/21 Nikki & Rob Hartz
7/23 Sarah & Greg Wright
7/28 Karen & Chuck Fausch
| |
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. | |
|
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
| |
|
2024 Leadership
Officers:
- President: Darin Leach
- President Elect: Open
- Past President, Chair Personnel Committee: Eleke Ukpabi
- Secretary: Angela Johnson
- Treasurer: Jackie Black
- Member at Large: Pat Warner
- Check Writer: John Lee
- Chair of PRC: Karen Fausch
- PRC Members: Frank Prowant, Dorothy Mathis, Karen Fausch, Mike St. Clair, Shanon Buckroyd, and Rob Duffy
- Nominating Committee: Lori Leach, Judy Krase, Lisa Duffy
Current Committee Chairs:
- Christian Education: Open
- Stewardship & Finance: David Rawson
- Property: Arnie Porath
- Worship: Karen Fausch
- Social Life: Team Party Squad
- Missions: Chuck Fausch
| |
|
Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
515-964-1083
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
|
| | | |
