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June 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.
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Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
— Colossians 3: 14-15
Relationships form us. One of the most treasured hymns of Christianity in the last century was “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” As we gather for worship in this series, we will be invited to consider how our relationship with the Holy and with each other form and transform us. And we will affirm the power of God’s presence in our worshiping community to inspire us to “go and do likewise” in relationship to the world.
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May 26
Week One- Formed
Isaiah 64:1-12
June 2
Week Two- Woven
Genesis 1:24-31
June 9
Week Three- Poured
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
June 16
Week Four- Lifted
Luke 14:7-14
June 23
Week Five- Moved
Galatians 5:16-26
June 30
Week Six- Anointed
Psalm 133
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Remaining 2024 Council Meeting Dates
June 30th
July 28th
August 25th
September 29th
October 27th
November 24th
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Pastor's Ponderings
“This is a book about a library of books dealing with loss and anger and
transcendence and worry and empire and money and fear and stress and
joy and doubt and grace and healing, and who doesn’t want to talk about
those?”
- Rob Bell, Introduction to
“What is the Bible”
“The bible is like a church choir.”
- Rev. Leon Riley
This year, you may recall, I am reading the bible in a year with a group of people from the church. It has been a wonderful experience for me as it has been a while since I have done it. This time, though, I am doing it differently; I am listening to it on audio book. Listening and reading the written words are two completely different experiences of the text – as you might imagine (the next time through, I might read it out loud as I am sure that will be an even different experience of the text).
Incidentally, in the ancient world most people heard the text rather than reading it for themselves. In fact, people having and reading their own copies of the bible is a relatively recent experience in human history.
At any rate, I am reminded in new and fresh ways by my current reading that the bible is not univocal! It does not speak with one voice about any given subject. The writings in the bible come from different perspectives, different voices, different experiences of the divine, and even different opinions. While the bible may tell one story (God’s life with, for, in, and through the world), it does not do so seamlessly. Rather, it is a beautiful library of diverse voices.
My mentor, Leon Riley, who was the minister of the church I served as a student, once suggested to me that the Bible is like a church choir. He explained: there are many voices in a church choir (volunteers most of the time). Some carry the melody, some harmonies, some have perfect pitch, some sing off key, some beautiful, some monotone, some keeping the beat, some a little out of rhythm, but all together they sing the word of God!
The thing is the bible is always interpreted. And while we have very little choice about the words on the page, we do have a choice about how we interpret it. Do we interpret it graciously or are we stingy with our interpretation, or even anything in between? Do we hear the different voices on their own terms and allow them to shape the story? Do we try to make the different voices agree? Do we come to the text humbly and open? Do we already think we know what the text says before we get to it?
Now please don’t hear me to say that any of these ways of interpretation are opposites or that any of us only do one or the other…they may be opposites, but I would suggest that if they are they are opposite ends of a continuum. I have done them all, both the positive and the negative – I have been open to the text AND I have assumed that I know what a text says before I have given it an opportunity to speak. I know, I know, you are thinking to yourself “Surely not you, Owen!” But yes, even me!
As we read the text – whether in Bible Study, or worship, or in devotions, or when and where ever – let’s do our best to acknowledge the ways we might be coming to the text, and move toward an open and gracious reading, listening for the diverse voices right alongside the story they sing.
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
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Thank you to Morgan Leach for volunteering to be the new Prayer Chain Coordinator. Please email Morgan your prayer chain requests at morganleach02@gmail.com | |
Church Camp Prayer Partners | |
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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.
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All singles, couples, and families are welcome! (Smaller groups will be combined with others and larger groups will be divided to form a table of 8 people.) Doors open at 6 P. Game starts at 6:45 PM. Pizza provided, but please bring your own beverages, snacks, friends, useless knowledge, and a sense of humor.
This is a general trivia night and each round will cover a different topic. There will be 8 rounds with 8 questions per round. Mulligans will be available to purchase for $5 each (cash or check only). Prizes will be awarded!
Please RSVP using this link (we need to know how pizza to order). Come join in the fun! Karen Rawson can answer any questions you may have.
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Quilt Ministry
Six twin size quilts and a baby quilt were delivered to OLIH Catholic Church in May. These items will go to the Refugee Resettlement program in Des Moines.
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Missions Committee
Ankeny Love Lunches – Special Offering for June
Again, this summer, Ankeny Christian Church is helping to support the Ankeny Love Lunches program. There are two serving sites and we are helping to support the west side site at Sunset Park at 1320 SW 3rd St. Each participating church donates to a general fund from which each church can pull funds in order to be reimbursed for the cost of the groceries purchased in order to provide the meals assigned to their church. The west side site will be serving meals each weekday starting May 28 through August 22nd. Our (ACC) first assigned weekdays are Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28. Our second assigned weekdays are Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2.
In addition to financial support for the program, ACC is in charge of making sure there are enough volunteers signed up to prepare the food for each of the days in their assigned weeks, deliver the food and other supplies to Sunset Park, serve the food, clean up the park serving area and return items to the Methodist kitchen where the food preparation took place. You are encouraged to sign up to volunteer not only when ACC is in charge, but any of the serving days throughout the summer. If you would like to sign up using Sign-Up Genius, contact Steve or Georgene Raver and one of them can provide the link. For the two weeks we are in charge, we will also have a sign-up sheet in the narthex area. A member of the Missions Committee will transfer the manual sign-ups to the online Sign-Up Genius site. Please note: volunteers must be adults or must have completed 6th grade or be accompanied by an adult. This is an important community project. Please give generously. Thank you
ACC Missions Committee
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Children's Disaster Service Workshop! | |
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No More Rehearsals until the Fall, Enjoy the Summer!
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Ankeny Christian Child Care Project Continues
Earlier this year, the Ankeny Christian Child Care staff asked the
congregation to contribute certain household items (new or used) to be
used in activities worked on by the children. We’ve now been asked to
do this on a continuing basis. As a reference, a list of the requested
items has been posted in the church coat room. When you bring these
items to the church, place them in the tub also located in the church coat room. Thank you for your support.
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Saturday June 8th Help Needed Please!
We really need lots of people to turn out with their favorite rake, shovel, and wheel barrow (if possible)!
Tarah Widaman has arranged for wood chips to be delivered and a skid steer to assist in moving them, so we can spread them throughout the 2 playgrounds at Ankeny Christian.
Saturday June 8th starting at 7:30 AM
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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!
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June Birthdays
6/2 Rob Duffy
Elena Serrano
6/6 Layla Hart
6/7 Chris Hart
6/9 Shelby Harris
6/10 Sherri Prowant
6/12 Steve Raver
6/13 Zoe Helmke
6/14 Glenn Smith
6/16 Samantha Dean
David Rice
6/18 Morganne McComas
6/20 Shanon Buckroyd
6/22 Joey Olson
6/24 Owen Cayton
6/27 Carter Bentley
Harrison Ukpabi
6/28 Andy Bentley
6/29 Jim Mann
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June Anniversaries
6/2 Dennis & Gerri Peterson
6/3 Rob & Lisa Duffy
6/11 Amy & Curtis Gage
6/13 Sherry & Jim Mann
6/20 Jade & Clay Dean
6/23 Emily & Matt Porath
6/26 Bryan & Sue Jansen
6/27 Jennifer Koehler & John Schneberger
6/29 Mary & Mike St. Clair
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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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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
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Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
515-964-1083
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
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