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October 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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Communion is central to our worship. It is a celebration of the goodness and grace of God; a remembrance of what God has done not only in Christ Jesus, but also in creation, and in the history of the world. It has, over the years, become a somber occasion for the church. While that is not entirely inappropriate, God’s grace and life among us in Jesus and the world should invite self-reflection and cosmic ponderings, is it not also appropriate to celebrate all that God has done, is doing, and will do? Indeed, early Christians celebrated the Lord’s supper, not only as a remembrance of Jesus last meal before his death, but more specifically as participation now in the Great Banquet in the Reign of God. It is a celebration of thanksgiving; a drawing together of remembering and giving thanks for all that God has done before, acknowledgement of God’s active presence among us (especially in community), and our hope for the future that God desires for us and all of creation. It is a FEAST of joy! This series seeks to remember and reclaim the celebratory aspect of communion!
In this series we will explore communion hymns and songs.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
Isaiah 25:6
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October 6
Come, Share the Lord
Revelation 19:1-10
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October 13
Youth Mission Experience
1 Peter 4:7B-11
The Message Version
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October 20
Music Filled Worship
Guest Preacher:
Reverend Melissa St. Clair
James 1:17-18
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Remaining 2024 Council Meeting Dates
September 29th
October 27th
November 24th
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Pastor's Ponderings
Sometimes the simple things in life remind us of God’s abundance!
When we lived in Oklahoma, Honeycrisp apples were not available year-round. They began to appear in grocery stores about this time of year and would disappear shortly after Christmas. My family and I would wait eagerly for Honeycrisp season because, well, we love them. Our love for them may best be described as “obsession” as an Esquire magazine article once described the general sense of devotion for those of us who love them. I confess that I once paid $4 a pound for the red/green orbs of sweet deliciousness…but I only bought a couple – really, I can totally quit any time!
God’s abundance can be revealed in so many ways. It resides in the sweetness of a hybrid apple, the sitting with your family around the campfire, the watching of a sunrise or sunset, even the sipping lemonade with neighbors as you watch the grass grow together. God’s abundance surrounds us in the world that teems with life and green that is already bearing hints of the glorious colors yet to come.
God’s abundance touches us in moments of sheer surprise and celebration, even as it is present in the comforting words of a friend when we are sad, or in affirming words when we are hurting.
Christians have long used the biblical term ‘blessing’ to describe when God’s abundance touches them in a personal way. God’s blessings surround us daily. Yet so often we wander about unaware. The sudden and brief reminder of God’s blessing already and always present reminds me that even in the mundane, everyday stuff God’s blessing is here already! There is beauty and goodness all around us.
I am not so naïve to suggest that there aren’t times when we are overcome by pain or anger or to say that no one should ever feel bad if they would simply count their blessings. Nor am I a big fan of the ‘name it and claim it’ philosophy (especially when it comes to faith) that if you have a positive attitude God will bless you. In fact, God has already blessed us. God has given to us abundantly!
The thing about blessing is that it is never given just to us solely for our own benefit. Blessing is always meant to be shared, never simply possessed. Doing a superficial word search on the term “blessing” in the Bible will reveal that God’s desire is that the whole of creation experience blessing. In addition when God’s blessing is shared it flourishes and multiplies, but when the blessing is held and possessed it tends to wither away.
May you know your blessings and share them that they will grow.
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
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The Ankeny Child Care Center is joining with ACC in sponsoring a Trunk or Treat night on Wednesday, October 23 from 5:45 - 7:00 pm. Please help make this a fun night by decorating your trunk and handing out candy to the youth and children.
Games and prizes will make for even more fun. Pizza for a free will donation will also be provided. Make it a spooktacular evening for the family.
Sign-up lists will be in the ACC Fellowship Hall and in the ACCC.
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Click on the photo to read the instructions for participating in the Timeline Project! | |
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Are you interested in participating in another ACC Mission Trip? We have
an opportunity to join Park Avenue Christian Church as missionaries to
Jamaica!
Quick facts: We will stay at a resort in Montego Bay and drive to and from
the work site for 4 days, followed by 2 days of R&R free time to enjoy
Jamaica. We will be helping with construction jobs and working with the
children in the orphanage, who are at various stages of disability.
The cost will be approximately $2500, and each person will take one extra
suitcase full of donations for the orphanage.
If we go January 11-18, 2025 with the group, all money is due to Ankeny
Christian Church by November 1, 2024. We also have the option to wait a
year and go in January, 2026.
Anyone 12 and over can volunteer to go and work.
If you would like more information, please see Judy Krase
(judy.krase@gmail.com) (918-906-7663). We will be deciding if there is
enough interest for this year or next, Since the deadline is so close, please
indicate your interest by October 1st.
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October 13th:
Center Grove Orchard Outing
ALL are Welcome!!
CHAOS will be leaving the Church at 2:30PM, with arrival time at the Orchard being 3 PM. Anyone is welcome to caravan with CHAOS to the Orchard from the Church. The Youth will be there until 6 PM and then headed back, everyone is welcome to stay later at the Orchard if they wish. Tickets Cost $13.95 if purchased ahead of time. You can click on the photo above to be taken to the website to purchase your tickets.
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Missions Committee
Mark Oct. 20 on your calendar. It is officially Fall so time to continue ACC’s tradition of the “Shoe Walk” (also known as the day the children carry their shoes throughout the sanctuary collecting money from the adults). It is so entertaining that adults secretly wish they could grab a shoe and join the fun! Who knows, this could be the year some lucky adult gets to do just that. Donations will be accepted all of October.
The proceeds from this event are to express our appreciation to the workers at the child care located at ACC. Originally this event supported the DM Hunger Hike; however, the hike disbanded a number of years ago. Now our donation remains with ACC. We were often the major donor of the Hunger Hike. It is an opportunity for the children to be actively involved as “Positive People doing God’s work” in the mission of ACC.
Another tradition will be celebrated Nov. 24. It is not too early be preparing for the Thanksgiving meal and Silent Auction. Both will follow the service that morning. The Auction is available for bids before and during part of the meal and includes items donated by ACC members and guests. Donations include crafts, baked goods, gift items, Holiday décor, personal or professional services, hobby creations, books or toys and any items that you believe someone would enjoy owning.
More details will be found in the November issue of this newsletter. Thank you for your support of the Hands on Mission of Ankeny Christian.
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Fall book and Bible Study will begin its 6 week session on October 2, 2024. We will be reading the book "Bible Stories for Grown-ups" by Josh Scott. We will be looking at most-told stories with new wisdom and see what we find. If you wish to participate please let Karen Fausch know by September 16, 2024 so a book can be ordered for you. The studies will meet on Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. | |
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Ankeny Love Lunches and School Lunches Summary – 2024
For the summer of 2024, lunches were provided for children and some accompanying adults at four different sites. Two sites were part of the Ankeny Love Lunches program which is run by two separate groups – each being made up of several local churches (Note: ACC was a part of the group that served at Sunset Park) and two sites were run by Ankeny Community Schools. The two school sites provided weekday lunches from early June until early August – approximately eight weeks. The two sites provided by Ankeny Love Lunches served from early June until the day before school started on August 23. This period of time provided lunches for sixty-two weekdays. For the summer, these four sites combined to prepare and serve over 16,400 lunches. Thank you to those from this congregation who gave of their time and energy to help make sure the lunches were available for a portion of those sixty-two weekdays. Also, thank you to those from this congregation who contributed financially to allow the food items and other needed supplies to be purchased. Financial contributions from ACC attendees amounted to $2,125. A special thank you to those who contributed in both ways – personal time and effort plus a financial contribution. We were very pleased as the numbers served this summer from these four combined sites set new records. Again, thank you.
ACC Missions Committee
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Kudos and Celebrations
- To Lisa Grace, Larry Squire, Karen Fausch and Mike St. Clair for filling in during worship while Pastor Owen was on vacation.
- To Mattai Cayton, Maya St. Clair, and Melanie for helping with the Video part of the worship while Lori Krase Cayton was on vacation.
- To the Youth and Chaperones who were on their Mission trip and served people in need and felt it was very meaningful.
- To Jackie Black for working on the insurance issue.
- To Darin Leach for getting the mailing out.
- To those who helped on August 24, 2024 with the Meals from the Heartland project.
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October Birthdays
10/1 Karla Rice
10/3 Mike St. Clair
10/5 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
10/15 Carter Hauschildt
10/16 Caleb Porath
Colleen Porath
10/17 Larry Squier
10/18 Savannah Gage
Christine Stoffa
10/21 John Lee
10/24 Pat Fliger
Nancy Squier
10/26 Judy Krase
10/27 Sara Hanley
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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
10/26 Randy & Joanie Wehofer
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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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