Here's what you will find in this issue:
- Sunday Worship Information and Links
- Current Church Staff
- Worship Volunteer Schedule Link
- April's Church Council Meeting Minutes
- Links to watch worship from home
- Worship Series
- Calendar Link
- Upcoming Events
- Pastor Owen's Ponderings
- Game Night Information
- Committee Updates
- Missions
- Covid
- Online Giving Upgrade
- Quilt Ministry Update
- Message from ACC Council President
- Birthdays and Anniversaries
- 2022 Leadership
- Prayer information
- Online Giving Link
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Sunday Morning May 1, 2022
10:00 am Worship
11:00 am Fellowship
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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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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. |
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"By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things."
-Galatians 5:22-23
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There are so many ways that we are having to rethink, revisit, reimagine the way we do things; maybe even the very purpose of what we do. The church is no exception to this reality. What is our calling? What is our purpose and mission in the world? This series will encourage us to explore what it means to be church in this time a place by exploring 5 practices of fruitful congregations: Radical Hospitality, Risk Taking Mission and Service, Extravagant Generosity, Intentional Faith Development, and Passionate Worship.
If ever there was an example of radical hospitality, it is the woman who goes into someone else's home and washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. She welcomes Jesus in a way that his host did not. In turn Jesus responds with hospitality. Extravagant hospitality is not just making sure everyone sees a smiling face when they enter our building. It is also making room in the things we do and stepping out our doors to offer hospitality in the world; going to places that are not our own and expressing welcome to people who have not been welcomed.
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June 5th "Called Out" Pentecost
John 14:8-17, 25-27
June 12th "Radical Hospitality"
Luke 7: 36-8:3
June 19th "Risk Taking Mission and Service"
Luke 8: 26-39
June 26th "Extravagant Generosity"
Galatians 5: 1, 13-25
July 3rd "Intentional Faith Development"
Galatians 6: 1-16
July 10th "Williamson Branch-Worship through music"
July 17th "Passionate Worship"
Luke 10:25-37
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Williamson Branch
July 10, 10 am Worship
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Message from the ACC Council President
Greetings Church Family!
I hope this message finds you all well and looking forward to another fantastic summer. Hopefully you all have a little something fun planned.
I want to take a moment to communicate a meeting that the Executive Committee of the ACC Council recently had on May 10th. As you all are aware, it’s been about 3 months since Pastor Alison moved on to Texas and now that the dust has settled somewhat on her departure, we felt it was a good time to get together and discuss where everyone’s thought process was on the best path forward as it relates to youth and family ministry at ACC.
It was a very good meeting and conversation. It was readily apparent that everyone loved the contributions and gifts that Alison brought to her ministry at ACC and that she will be missed. It was also apparent that everyone on the committee wants to make the best decision for ACC moving forward. With that being said, after significant discussion, it was decided that Ankeny Christian Church will not be hiring an Associate Minister to replace Alison. Many factors went into this decision. Financial considerations, current and anticipated children and youth participation, overall changes within the church post-pandemic were all considered and discussed at length. Instead, we will be moving forward in the short term with the team of volunteers we have and the Executive Committee will be meeting periodically throughout the summer to determine a more long range plan.
In the meantime, members of the committee may be reaching out to you, the congregation, on your thoughts as we form a more long range plan on how we handle Christian Education and Youth Ministry at ACC.
Again, I hope you all have a fantastic summer and don’t hesitate to reach out to me or other members of the Executive Committee to voice any questions or concerns you might have.
Yours in Christ,
David Rawson
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Baptism and Confirmation
Join us to celebrate the Baptism of Madi Shreffler and the Confirmation of Alena Dean at the Christian Conference Center. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us at Picnic Grove to share a meal at 12:30. We will celebrate the baptism and confirmation on the beach of Wolf Lake at 1:30. It would be wonderful to have you with us to support these youth as they take the next steps in their life of faith.
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“Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.”
- Jeremiah 31:15
I am really struggling as I write, because I really feel like I have no words. Really it is probably that I don’t feel like I have any new words, as people who are more articulate than I have written and spoken things better than I would be able to do. Or maybe my struggle is that I don’t feel like there are adequate words…maybe that is it.
I know that I feel anger, frustration, helplessness, a little bit of hopelessness and despair. Most of all, however, I just feel sad. My heart aches, along with yours, for the community of Uvalde, TX, for parents, children, teachers, administrators, neighbors, and leaders. The words of Jeremiah 31:15 resonate with me in these, far too many, moments.
We are familiar with these words as they appear in Matthew’s gospel in their connection to the Slaughter of the Innocents, when Herod, hunting for the Christ child orders all children 2 and younger to be killed. These words are indeed an appropriate lamentation when innocents are killed; when children are slain.
It occurs to me that I need to get better at writing lamentations, as they help express that broad mix of emotion like what I expressed earlier – anger, frustration, helplessness, despair, and sadness among other things.
The interesting thing about Jeremiah 15, this appropriate lament, is its context. It sits in the middle of Jeremiah’s prophecy of hope; right in the middle of the good news of return from exile and the restoration of Israel. In fact, the next words in Jeremiah are:
“Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping,
and your eyes from tears;
for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord:
they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
there is hope for your future,
says the Lord:
your children shall come back to their own country.”
- Jeremiah 31:16-17
It says “…there is reward for your work.” This, I think, is a helpful reminder. We have the power to do something about this. It rests in our hands. We do not have to resign ourselves that: “this is simply the way things are now.” Or, “there is nothing we can do.” We must have the collective will to make changes.
To be sure, there are complexities here. To be sure, there is a lot of soul searching to do. To be sure, there is a lot of work that needs doing. However, it is within our power.
A friend and colleague, Mark MacWhorter, said it well on Facebook: “Refusing to allow certain topics or issues to be talked about or even put out on the table for discussion is doing nothing. When we do nothing, nothing will get done. If we want change, we must allow everything to be discussed. We must be willing to try, to work together and to discuss and discern. Guns, Mental Health, AR 15’s, Automatic weapons, magazine size, resource officers, armed teachers, background checks, age limits, etc… it all needs to be discussed. Maybe even going as far to change or make new laws and let’s see what happens. By doing nothing, nothing will be done.”
“…for there is reward for your work…” Let’s get to work.
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
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Exciting news! We have another game night coming up! June 11th from 5 pm to 8 pm at Ankeny Christian Church |
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Missions June Special Offering:
Ankeny Love Lunches
Helpers needed and special offering for June
As indicated in the May newsletter, our church is one of the Ankeny Love Lunches participants for the summer of 2022. We have the responsibility of making sure the lunch served at the west side location (Sunset Park) is taken care of for four days – June 27-30. There will not be a sign-up sheet at church. Signing up must be done via the Sign-Up Genius. The link to it was included in the May newsletter and it is being repeated here. The link is https://bit.ly/LoveLunch22. Volunteers are needed for each of the four days for preparing the food, transporting the food to the park, serving the lunch and cleaning up. Helpers must be adults or youth of CHAOS age (grades 6-12).
Our special offering for the month of June goes to support the Ankeny Love Lunches program. All the participating churches donate to a general fund and then each church pulls from that fund when that church shops for the items needed for the days they prepare the lunches. We are all aware of the fact the cost of groceries has increased in recent months. Please give generously as we share in this important community project. Thank you.
Missions Committee
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COVID Committee
To the members of Ankeny Christian Church (ACC) May 19, 2022
We continue to enjoy positive progress in vaccinations, lowering of Covid-19 (C-19) testing, a reduction of patient hospitalizations, patients on ventilators, and deaths due to C-19.
As progress is made and rapid changes continue, we at ACC will modify our C-19 response. Understanding that these changes are subject to modifications as needs change.
ACC C-19 committee has recommended to the Church Executive Council the following effective immediately:
- Congregational singing in services, fellowship after services, communion by intinction (you can still bring your own communion elements, if you wish)
- It is recommended that non-vaccinated members need NOT wear masks unless they choose to do so.
- It is recommended that non-vaccinated members continue to wear masks. Children who have not/cannot be vaccinated should wear masks as directed by their PARENTS.
- We ask that members practice proper sanitary guidelines as outlined by the CDC to create and maintain a safe and healthy place for us to worship.
We will CONTINUE to have the virtual worship service available for those members who are not comfortable with these changes in services or are not feeling well.
We are looking forward to returning to a more routine (pre-Covid19) service
Time and Talent:
As ACC is going back to pre=-C-19 services it presents opportunities to members. The last time we completed our time and talent forms was November of 2020 Many things have changed since then. It should be noted that we need approximately 30 people every Sunday to conduct pre-C-19 services.
We need volunteers to successfully transition back into pre-covid services. We specifically need volunteers for services beginning June 6 and continuing throughout the remainder of 2021.
We need ADDITIONAL help in the following positions:
- Fellowship
- Usher
- Greeter
- P.A. Operator
- Nursery Attendants
- Candle Lighter
- Servers
If you are willing to participate in these duties or have questions on what they entail, please ask.
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Online Giving Upgrade
The WeShares Online Giving software recently upgraded to a new version 2.0 platform. The WeShares link is automatically updated on our Church website. Your sign in credentials (email and password) are the same. The platform looks slightly different though operates the same.
Please contact Jackie Black at 641-521-2659, or Curt Narwold, if you have questions or need assistance.
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Quilt Ministry Update
In May, two twin size quilts and ten baby and lap quilts were dropped off for the Refugee Resettlement Program, at OLIH Catholic Church. Last fall seven twin size quilts were also given to the Refugee Resettlement Program.
Thank you to Gladys S., Fran H. and Martha D. for donating material toward the quilt projects.
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June Birthdays
2 Rob Duffy
Elena Serrano
4 Henry Hartz
5 Larry DeMoss
6 Layla Hart
7 Chris Hart
9 Shelby Harris
10 Sherri Prowant
12 Steve Raver
13 Zoe Helmke
16 Sarina Chapman
Samantha Dean
David Rice
18 Morganne McComas
20 Shanon Buckroyd
22 Joey Olson
21 Owen Cayton
27 Carter Bentley
Harrison Ukpabi
28 Andy Bentley
29 Jim Mann
30 Stacey Edmundson
Evan Sigler
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June Anniversaries
2 Dennis & Gerri Peterson
3 Rob & Lisa Duffy
9 Norm & Fran Honderd
13 Sherry & Jim Mann
20 Jade & Clay Dean
23 Emily & Matt Porath
26 Bryan & Sue Jansen
26 Jodi & Tom Murphy
27 John & Jennifer Schneberger
29 Mary & Mike St. Clair
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2022 Leadership
Officers
- President – David Rawson
- President-Elect – Open
- Past President, Chair Personnel Committee – Emily Porath
- Secretary – Shanon Buckroyd
- Treasurer – Jackie Black
- Member at Large – Jennifer Koehler
- Check Writer – John Lee
- Chair of PRC – Darin Leach
- PRC Members - Sarah Wright, Terri Ostrem, Darin Leach, Randy Wehofer, Frank Prowant, and Di Mathis
- Nominating Committee - Annette Hunter, Rob Duffy, and Lori Leach
Current Committee Chairs
- Christian Education – Cathy Helmke
- Stewardship and Finance – Curt Narwold
- Property – Tom Murphy
- Worship – Karen Fausch
- Social Life – Open
- Evangelism – Open
- Missions – Chuck Fausch
- Endowment – Dorothy Mathis
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Do you have a Prayer Request? |
If you have a prayer request, please email Laura at:
dolley0808@gmail.com
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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, IA 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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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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Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-964-1083
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