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November 2023 Newsletter
Sunday School
9:15 AM
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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Generations of Faith
YESTERDAY TODAY TOMORROW
Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Church is a rare place in the modern world where multiple generations of people gather regularly. Perhaps that is the nature of faith. From the very beginnings faith was expressed generationally. God even identified the divine self as; “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. When the commandments are given, the people are instructed to share God’s teaching with their children and their children’s children, so that “it may go well with you.” Paul observe of Timothy that he receive the faith generationally, through his grandmother and his mother. Together through this series we will ponder the generations of faith – the generations of yesterday, today, and tomorrow and explore how we can honor, serve, and invest ourselves in the church.
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October 29
All Saints Sunday
Generation to Generation You Are God!
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6
November 5
Honoring Yesterday
Joshua 3:7-17
November 12
Serving Today
Joshua 24:1-25
November 19
Investing in God's Tomorrow
Matthew 25:14-30
November 26
Reign of Christ
Matthew 25:31-46
Psalm 100
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Pastor's Ponderings
It was early on in my ministry. I was faithfully following the lectionary (a 3 year cycle for worship scriptures) because it provided some consistency and stability in the routine for a preacher just cutting his chops. Not that I still don’t need some consistency and stability now, but that is a whole other newsletter article! The first summer had us rolling through the David stories in the Old Testament and I was excited to preach on one story in that cycle in particular: David and Bathsheba. It is one of those bible stories that need very little editing to make a full-length feature film that would sell tickets like hot cakes. I mean it’s got everything modern blockbuster movies have in them: intrigue, violence, ambiguity (moral and otherwise), sex, and drama – everything! Plus, it is a very good, human story about repentance and redemption.
The Sunday for that scripture came and I nailed the sermon – great beginning, wonderful salient points, teasers for the sequel (Nathan’s confrontation of David), and…well not to put too much arrogance into this…I stuck the landing! It was awesome. After worship, I did what I always do, I went and stood by the exit door to hear all the wonderful compliments the sermon would have generated, and I did get some of those. However, the comment that I will always remember came from an elder person who, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, has been in church their whole life; probably could count the number of times they missed worship on one hand (maybe two if they were sick a lot as a child), and I am sure for a long time was probably at church Sunday and Wednesday evenings as well! They were not new to the bible or to church. Their comment, “Wow! I have never heard that story before.”
What?!?!?! No way! It is a central story to one of the central characters in the Old Testament – actually when it comes to the whole of the bible David is mentioned by name more than Jesus is (1078 vs. 992 – thank goodness for technology!).
I share this to echo what Rev. Terri Hord Owens, our General Minister and President, said in her sermon at the General Assembly this summer, “We need to know our bibles better!” We do indeed!
It has been a while since I have taken up the practice of reading the whole bible, cover to cover. So, I am making it my practice next year.
Beginning January 1, 2024 I will begin reading and finish on December 31,
2024. I wondered if there might be folk in the congregation who would be
interested in taking that journey with me. I will be using material called
“The Bible Year: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days.”
I am not necessarily planning to have regular meetings or anything like
that – the daily task will require its own time commitment. However, if there is a group of people interested in the process, I may set up something online where we can be encouraged by and accountable to each other and the process (and maybe even share in some conversation…). If you are interested in joining me or have questions about the process, please email or call me, or even catch me after worship. I would love to journey with you!
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
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2023 Stewardship Campaign
Generations of Faith: Honoring Yesterday, Serving Today, Investing in God's Tomorrow.
Dear Ankeny Christian Church,
Every year at stewardship time, you receive a letter asking you to prayerfully consider how you will share of your time, talent, and treasures with the church next year. I have a summary in this section but there is a button linked to the full letter for you to read as well. Thanks!
Why give to the church? Consider your motivation. Church is a rare place in the modern world where multiple generations of people gather regularly. Giving of yourself is a way to honor past generations that laid the foundations for your faith and set an example for you and others to follow. Being generous often comes from a sense of gratitude. If you are grateful for anything Ankeny Christian Church has provided for you, please consider how you can give of yourself to provide for others. It doesn't take a grand gesture to make a big difference.
We kindly request you complete and return your Time & Talent Form (online or paper copy) along with your Pledge Car by Sunday November 19, 2023.
There is a link button below for the Time and Talent Form, just click on it and away you will go!
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November 5th, CHAOS will be meeting at the church at 3:30 PM and riding together to Center Grove Orchard. Our goal is to arrive around 4, stay and play for 2 hours and then drive home to make it back to the church by 5:30 PM. Tickets are $11.95 if purchased online ahead of time. I'll be getting numbers from the youth to try to get everyone's that way and asking them to pay $5/person (the youth funds will pay the balance). This will be the CHAOS Activity for that day, so there will not be youth group from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
Everyone is welcome to join the CHAOS group at this outing! You can purchase your separate tickets through the website, if you click on the photo it will take you directly there!
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On November 21, 2023 at 7 PM Ankeny Christian Church will host the annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service (and pie social following worship). There are a couple opportunities to participate: one is to provide a pie-we need 5 from this congregation, the other is to sing in the Ecumenical Choir, which will be directed by Jenn Christy! Let Georgene know if you would like to participate in either of these ways. We hope to see you on November 21st as we celebrate with our siblings in Christ!
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Crazy to think that October is in the rear view, which means Thanksgiving is fast approaching! On that note, ACC will be having a Thanksgiving Meal on Sunday November 19th at 11:45 AM in the Ankeny Christian Child Care Gym. A sign-up board will be in the Fellowship Hall where you can volunteer to bring a dish to share. Please bring your own table service.
Feel free to contact Mary St. Clair or Lori Leach with any questions. We look forward to seeing you all there and sharing in all we have to be thankful for!
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Veterans, the Care Connections Team and entire congregation would be honored to be able to recognize your service to the United States during the morning worship on November 12th. Please allow us to express our gratitude and appreciation in this way. We look forward to seeing you in worship November 12. | |
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December 2, 2023 Church Family Advent Party!
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Missions Committee
October’s Shoe Walk was a big success with so many children collecting money from so many generous adults. We donated a total of $1199.60 (I added 40 cents to make the total a round number) which will be gifted to the day care employees in gratitude for their service to the community children and ACC.
November will soon be here bringing Thanksgiving and the Silent Auction. The auction has a lengthy history providing an opportunity to purchase or share our treasures while providing funds to assist ACC members in need. It will take place Sunday November 19 with bidding available before and after the service. Items may be brought Sat. the 18th between 10:00 AM and 12 PM. If that is not convenient, they may be left in the coat area during the week. Donations are anything you feel have “gift value”, handmade, gently used or purchased and appropriate for a variety of ages. Baked or any home-made food items are especially popular and may be delivered Sunday prior to the service. Bidding will also be open before the service and close when announced during the Thanksgiving meal. Payment is also due
at that time. Items that don’t receive bids will be donated to a local charity or you are welcome to reclaim anything you donated.
December’s emphasis is an opportunity to provide supplies and items to be used for the operation of various committees and activities of church life as well as charitable organizations and the homeless shelter. A “Giving Tree” banner with item suggestions will be located in the entry during Advent.
The Missions Committee serves ACC by providing funding opportunities for numerous causes and organizations during the year as well as specific assistance to individuals as necessary. Your support is much appreciated as well as your understanding that respect for the privacy of individuals prevents the sharing of all situations that benefit from the Involvement of Missions.
Thank you for all that you contribute and do to further our “Positive People Doing God’s Work” pledge.
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Rev. Lisa Grace
Rev. Lisa Grace graduated with her M.Div. from Eden Theological Seminary in 2012 and was ordained in 2018. She completed her intentional interim training through Interim Ministry Network in 2019 and has served as an intentional interim in three different regions. She moved to the Upper Midwest with her cat Bigfoot in 2020 to serve as Altoona Christian Church’s intentional interim minister. She loves working with people during transitional times and is looking forward to being part of this exciting time in the region as the part-time Transitional Executive Regional Minister.
In addition to offering some intentional interim resourcing for our region's ministries, Lisa's primary responsibilities will include providing administrative support for Operations Council and large regional events, providing key support for regional finances, maintaining the regional database and records, and overseeing our primary regional phone and email address. She will begin on November 1.
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CCC Winterization Workday, Saturday, November 4, 9am
Join volunteers at the Christian Conference Center on Saturday November 4 as we prepare the facilities for winter. We will begin work around 9 am and continue to mid-or late-afternoon. Breakfast and lunch provided. Limited accommodations may be available on Friday night.
Volunteer tasks include:
- Winterizing vehicles
- Preparing snow/ice equipment
- Installing snow markers on roads/sidewalks
- Closing Chi Rho villages and barn
- Vacuum air vents and ceiling fans in all buildings
- Move boats and other outdoor equipment indoors
If you plan to help that day, please contact Josh and share your plans and project interest. If you are not available on Nov 4 and would like to help on an earlier day, please email and share that information too.
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Kudos and Celebrations!!!
- Love Lunches-Shanon Buckroyd, Marilyn DeVries, Chuck Fausch, Karen Fausch, Carla Hillyer, Judy Johnson, Marlys Lapham, Kayla Leach, Lori Leach, Bev Morgan, Colleen Porath, Frank Prowant, Sheri Prowant, Georgene Raver, Steve Raver, Madi Shreffler, Glenn Smith, JoAnn Smith, Larry Squier, Nancy Squier, Gwen Stafne
- Emily and Matt Porath, Cathy Helmke, and Lori Krase-Cayton for Fall Kick-Off ice cream party.
- People who participated in luncheon and funeral for Jared Mcllrath
- ACC Choir and Tone Chimes Players
- Judy Johnson and Shelby Skinner for the initiative to provide cards for Veterans project
- Arnie Porath, Chuck Fausch, Steve and Georgene Raver for helping out last minute at the Christian Conference Center for changing over rooms
- Madi Shreffler for being the Acolyte Coordinator
- Arnie Porath, Judy Krase, Patrice Sayre, Curt Narwold, Jackie Black, Randy Wehofer, Eleke Ukpabi, for working with Owen on the Stewardship Campaign
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Tone Chimes
Rehearsals: November 12th and November 26th
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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!
The Church will be Closed on Monday October 9th and Tuesday October 10th for Carpet Cleaning
Kasey will be out of office Friday October 19th to October 23rd.
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November Birthdays
11/3 Hayden Gage
11/4 Jon Hauschildt
11/16 Jodie Craig
Nikki Hartz
11/17 Christina Dean
11/18 Amy Channels
11/19 Bob Brown
11/20 Scott Gessner
11/21 Adam Rice
11/23 Sue Woods
11/27 Beth Lee
11/28 Rebecca Dean
11/29 Ron Lapham
Di Mathis
11/30 Bob Turner
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November Anniversaries
11/8 Larry & Judi DeMoss
11/12 Justin Breckenridge & Lori Reynolds
11/16 Arnie & Colleen Porath
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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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Looking for Grief Support? Click on the button to be taken to a document with options. | |
Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
515-964-1083
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
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