|
|
October 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.
|
|
|
God, Improv, and the Art of Living
Things in life don’t always go according to plan. Often plans get completely derailed, life hands us a set of unexpected circumstances and says, “here, you go!” leaving us to rely on our smarts, our communities, our faith, and whatever else we can find. In other words, we improvise. Sometimes we even find that in those improvisations there are gifts of grace, life, and energy! Through this series we observe the way the divine moves with us in those moments of improvisation. God is always with us working with us, through us, and around us in all the circumstances of life to create, sustain, and redeem.
| |
|
September 17
"Say Yes. Say And"
Isaiah 1:10-20
September 24
"Pay Attention"
Luke 8:40-56
October 1
"Play Well with Others"
Philippians 2:1-13
October 8
"The Next Right Thing"
Matthew 14:13-21
October 15
"Embrace Ambiguity"
Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
October 22
"Love Mystery, Live Beauty"
Exodus 3:1-15
| |
|
Sunday, October 29 – New Series Begins
Generations of Faith: Honoring Yesterday, Serving Today, Investing in God's Tomorrow
“Generation to Generation, You Are God!”
– Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6
| |
|
Pastor's Ponderings
The most indispensable quality in a good improviser is the ability to listen and observe . . . to see what others are doing onstage; . . . to hear the emotion behind the words; . . . to discern the authentic response within one’s self to what’s happening.
MaryAnn McKibben Dana,
“God, Improv, and the Art of Living”
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
Mercy Me
Word of God Speak
The truly happy person doesn't follow wicked advice, doesn't stand on the road of sinners, and doesn't sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD's Instruction, and they recite God's Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don't fade. Whatever they do succeeds.
Psalm 1:1-3 (CEB)
| |
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “improv” the first thing that comes to mind is the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” What a delightful show! If you have never heard of it, the show has a host who guides a group of 4 actors and actresses through a series of improvisation games, sometimes drawing on the audience to offer suggestions for settings, styles, lines, or other things that shape what happens on stage. Most of the time it produces hilarious results!
Yet, because it is the general experience of improv to most of us, it can create the false sense that improv is about being zany or witty or funny. However, improv is used in a wide variety of settings. As MaryAnn McKibben Dana says, “…the primary goal of improv isn’t to be funny. The biggest payoff comes when two or more players create something authentic and real together. A scene. A project. A life.” To do this, requires the players to pay attention.
In our worship series we have been exploring what improv has to tell us about faith and life. We have already observed how God sometimes says ‘no!’ – not to God’s own faithfulness or love for God’s people but to set limits on what God will put up with – in order to say ‘YES!’ to justice and life, and the way Jesus pays attention broadly and deeply to what goes on around him.
As followers of Jesus improvising life – as we have said, life rarely goes the way we expected or planned – it is important that we pay attention to what goes on around us. It is also important that we pay attention to God!
To be sure, God can be found in all that goes on around us, even if sometimes we have trouble identifying God’s presence. It takes practice to pay attention to God…incidentally, good improv takes a lot of practice and even direction. Those folk who perform on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” don’t just walk in off the street that day and say, “I wanna be on TV.” They have been doing it, practicing for years.
So, my question for you (and me) is, “How do you practice paying attention to God?”
Do you pray? In your prayers do you spend some time listening for God? Do you read scripture? Do you meditate? Do you serve others? Do you do things that maybe you never thought of as opportunities to pay attention to God…garden, cook, drive, walk, run, sit in nature, sing, dance?
How do you practice paying attention to God?
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
| |
Uniting Hearts and Hands: Partnering with Truevine Academy in Nigeria | |
|
Dear Ankeny Christian Church Family,
Over the past few Sundays, during service, Pastor Owen and I briefly presented my mission project in Nigeria –Truevine Academy, a credentialled K-12 school in Umuahia, Abia State. I was motivated over a decade ago to develop this school, and I am gradually making progress on that vision. This vision has been propelled by faith, with the expectation that societal excellence can be elevated through the uplifting power of knowledge. My purpose is focused on sustainably equipping and reinforcing students and staff to elevate excellence everyday in school, within families, and into communities. This aim is inspired from the biblical principle of John 15:17, as a mission from Jesus, our Truevine. A mission to cultivate excellence in every student by providing relevant learning opportunities that promote spiritual, academic, physical, and emotional growth – from crèche to college...and beyond.
Introducing Truevine Academy: A Beacon of Hope in Nigeria
Truevine Academy, nestled in the heart of Abia State, is more than just a school. It's a sanctuary of education, a source of hope, and a testament to the transformative power of partnership and compassion. Today, Truevine Academy provides education for 212 necessitous students who are eager to learn, grow, and thrive in a world full of possibilities. Our curriculum is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, plus Entrepreneurship. The school building and infrastructure is a work in progress, and there is still an extensive waiting list of students hoping to join.
Our Call to Mission: Forging Enduring Partnerships
At Ankeny Christian Church, we are Positive People Doing God's work. We firmly believe in the principles of faith in action, unity, and the enduring power of partnerships. This invitation to mission is to stand alongside Truevine Academy and support their ongoing development. Truevine Academy has already made a significant impact on the lives of these children by providing quality education, nourishing their spirits, and imparting values that will shape their futures. However, the journey doesn't end here; it is an ongoing mission.
A Call to Action: Financial Support through Truevine Academy Foundation
To ensure that Truevine Academy continues to flourish, I established Truevine Academy Foundation as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. We invite you to join us in extending your hand of love and support. Your financial contributions can be sent to: Truevine Academy Foundation, 2310 SE Delaware Avenue Ste. G #283 Ankeny, IA 50021 Ankeny, Iowa, or electronically via Venmo (@truevineacademy).
Thank you for supporting Truevine Academy!
In Christ's Service,
Eleke Ukpabi
Truevine Academy Foundation
Foundation@truevineacademy.org
| |
|
Quilts to Refugees
Six twin size quilts and one throw quilt were dropped off at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. They will be delivered to the Refugee Resettlement Program in Des Moines.
| |
Don't Forget to Sign Up for the All Congregational Gathering on October 21st! Click the photo to be taken directly to the registration page! | |
|
Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day, is a U.S. holiday originally intended to commemorate the end of World War I and honor veterans of the armed forces. November 11 has since been expanded to incorporate the service and sacrifices of the men and women who served under the United States flag, both stateside or on foreign soil, in any war or days of peace. ACC’s Care Connection Team would like to lift before God the members of this congregation who are veterans during worship on Sunday, November 12. Please be sure to be in attendance that day if you are a veteran.
Taking our appreciation a step further, we would like to present each resident of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown with a homemade card expressing our gratitude for his or her service. To that end, Judy and Shelby have created 400 cards. This is a task too large for our Team so we are requesting your help in preparing this project. During fellowship time each Sunday in October, cards, pens and optional prepared greetings will be available to everyone. Please grab a card (or five) and handwrite an appropriate sentiment to a veteran, signing only your first name. These will all be hand delivered to the Marshalltown home in time for Veterans Day, assuring each resident that their service is appreciated and they are individually honored. We chose to target the Home in Marshalltown as a tribute to our member, Chuck Power, who is a resident there.
Thank you for your support of this project and assistance in getting the cards written.
| |
|
December 2, 2023 Church Family Advent Party!
| |
|
Missions Committee
It is the busy season for the ACC Family and Missions Committee. In addition to providing support as needed and or requested from various individuals, we are continuing with a number of annual giving opportunities.
October’s project is the Shoe Walk to raise funds to show our appreciation to the employees of the ACC day care facility. The ACC children will be the stars of the Shoe Walk (aka, a bunch of children and good sport adults running around shoeless in the sanctuary collecting money in their shoes). This unique moment of blessed chaos will be held October 15th during the children’s time. You are welcome and
encouraged to participate that day or donate additional funds during the month of October. Five hundred dollars will also be donated by the Missions Committee. ACC is pleased to support the continuing operation of much needed day care services as a mission to the Ankeny community.
The Food Bowl competition ended on a record- breaking note as $2245 was collected and will be donated to the Ankeny Service Center to provide free food to those in need. UNI was the winning team and responsible for $1125 of the total. Congratulations!! The real winner is the community and your support is greatly appreciated.
Future activities feature a Silent Auction November 19th in conjunction with our annual congregation Thanksgiving feast. Proceeds will be used to provide Holiday assistance to congregation members. Donated items for the auction are as diverse as whatever you choose and someone will decide they need those items. Previous selections include hand crafted items, collectibles, toys, gift cards/gift items, craft materials, to name a few as well as ever popular baked items. More details will be in November’s newsletter. Contact Pat Fliger if you have questions.
Thank you for your support of these various activities and know the recipients are most thankful that we are Disciples of Christ and living as we are taught.
Chuck Fausch, Committee Chair
| |
Kudos and Celebrations!!!
- Owen Cayton for continuing the commitment to mentoring sessions
- Carla, Arnie, Shanon and everyone for leading worship while Owen was at General Assembly
| |
|
Tone Chimes
Rehearsals Every Sunday in October at 5:30 PM
| |
|
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.
| |
|
October Birthdays
10/1 Karla Rice
10/3 Mike St. Clair
10/5 Justin Breckenridge
Jason-Paul Channels
10/6 Clay Dean
10/8 Amy Gage
10/9 Rachel Schneberger
10/10 Chloe Schroeder
10/12 Lisa Duffy
Linda Lamont
10/14 Jean Boger
10/15 Carter Hauschildt
10/16 Caleb Porath
Colleen Porath
10/17 Larry Squier
10/18 Savannah Gage
Christine Stoffa
10/21 John Lee
10/24 Patty Dorman
Pat Fliger
Nancy Squier
10/26 Judy Krase
10/27 Sara Hanley
10/31 Teresa Worley
| |
|
October Anniversaries
10/2 Ron & Marlys Lapham
10/3 Brian & Cheryl Jass
10/11 John & Patrice Sayre
10/15 Clint Fischer & Deanna Clingan-Fischer
Dennis & Christine Stoffa
10/20 Julie & Felix Garcia
Justin & Jennifer Schroeder
10/26 Randy & Joanie Wehofer
10/28 John & Jodie Craig
| |
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
| |
|
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
| |
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
|
| | | |
