Tuesday, May 31, 2011

MAY 28-29 ANNOUNCEMENTS

MAY 28-29 ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS:  Bonnie Adkins, Lela Todd, Chuck Beadles, Carolan Brooks, Tom Tucker, Maxine Harrison, Korreen Rayl (Virginia Rayl’s daughter-in-law), individuals recently affected by the tornadoes, and service people and families.  

CONDOLENCES
Condolences to the family of Ruby Shannon on her passing. 

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Contact Dorothy Danner at 641-842-2557. 

THIS WEEKEND

HEIFER PROJECT
Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.   By giving families a hand-up, not just a hand-out, we empower them to turn lives of hunger and poverty into self reliance and hope.   A special collection is taken the fourth weekend of every month. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

JOPLIN MISSOURI
In the aftermath of the tornadoes and severe storms that struck Joplin, Missouri on May 22, UMCOR, is seeking donations to help the victims and survivors.  To donate to this, Spring Storms 2011, UMCOR Advance # 3021326, make your checks payable to First United Methodist Church and put “UMCOR # 3021326” in the memo area of the check. 

WWW.KIFUMC.ORG

NEW THIS WEEK!

FILL THE TRUCK 2011 IOWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE CHALLENGE

Midwest Mission, in cooperation with UMCOR, is sponsoring a conference-wide mission project that will provide needed help for the people of Japan.  Bedding, health kits, layette kits, sewing kits, school kits, bulk supplies needed are:  sleepers/gowns, all school supplies, cleaning buckets, and hand towels.  In addition, out-of-service cell phones are needed.  They will be wiped clean and repurposed to be used as 911 emergency call only cell phones.  Please bring cell phones, along with batteries, chargers, charger cords and instruction books if you still have them.  The center will also take bikes and sewing machines this year.  Please feel free to expand your horizons with these new possibilities.   Each year there is an increased number of disasters throughout the world and each time you make a kit you are being the hands of Jesus in your service.  Items need to be brought to the church office to be taken to annual conference by Friday, June 3. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Helpers are needed for VBS.  If you would be interested in helping at a beach party where the children learn about god, please contact Melinda O’Field, Katie Bishop, or Cheryl Hennefeld.  There will be a meeting on Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the library for all VBS site leaders and helpers. 

SUMMER CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING
The summer youth interns, Lydia Jahner and Jessica Wallace,  will be starting a Youth Summer Program in early June.  We invite parents and youth to come Sunday, June 5 for a kickoff party held in WFH from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  The interns will be running our summer program for students in kindergarten through high school over the summer months. 

THANK YOU
Congratulations to our students who have completed their college year.  The following people offered their support throughout the academic year by maintaining contact through letters or email with the college students:   Phyllis Robinson, Cheryl Hennefeld, Peg Stevenson, Virginia Rayl, Pat Haning, Bonnie Crook, Christa Belknap, Merna Furney, Roberta Dennison, Folmer Petersen, Brent Hanna, Joel Johnson, Park Woodle, Loretto Kono, Pearl Legler, Janna Kassel, and Sherry Haney.  Thanks to each of you for your participation and support.  Sherry Haney

NEW THIS WEEK (CNTD)
THANK YOU (CONTINUED)
All your prayers, phone calls, visits, e-mails, and cards helped so much.   It is so nice to be a part of such a wonderful church family.   Don and Maxine Harrison

Thank you, First Church for the wonderful diploma picture frame.  It is just the thing I needed as I receive my diploma later this week. I hope to keep coming back throughout my Central College years to worship with you.  Robert Woodle, KHS 2011

HELP US CELEBRATE
Maria Diminet and host parents Terry and Cindy Fenoglio invite you to Maria’s high school graduation party on Sunday, May 29th from 4-6 p.m. in West Fellowship Hall. 
LECTIONARY:  June 4-5
Acts 1:1-11 Ps. 47 Eph. 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53 Acts 1:6-14 Ps. 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Pet. 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11

ATTENDANCE/GIVING
May 21-22
Worship attendance:  321
Giving:  $4783.56

THIS WEEK…
Sunday May 29, 2011
HEIFER PROJECT
8:30 & 10:45a         Worship Services
9:30a                       Sunday School
12:00-6:00p             WFH – Reserved
Monday May 30, 2011
MEMORIAL DAY

CLOSED                KAMA—Act Cntr

CLOSED                               Almost Free Shop

CLOSED                              Church Office

Tuesday May 31, 2011

7:00-8:00a               Early Birds – Hardees

9:00-10:00a             Staff Mtg – Conf Rm

9:00a-Noon             Almost Free Shop
6:00-8:00p               Cub Scouts – WFH
7:00-8:00p               Jr. Optimists - EFH

Wednesday June 1, 2011

Noon                       Wings – Conf Rm

1:00-3:30p               KAMA—Act Cntr

Thursday June 2, 2011 
12:30-1:30p             UMW Exec Mtg – EFH
8:00a                       Late Birds – Mr. C’s

Friday June 3, 2011

9:00a-4:00p             Almost Free Shop
Saturday June 4, 2011
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
7:00a                       Methodist Men – Mr.
                              C’s
5:30p                       Chapel Service
Sunday June 5, 2011
ASCENSION SUNDAY
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
8:30 & 10:45a         Worship Services
9:30a                       Sunday School
6:30p                       Summer Youth Program Kickoff – WFH

Monday, May 23, 2011

MAY 21-22 ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

HOSPITALIZED:  Ruby Shannon and Bonnie Adkins. 

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS:  Lela Todd, Chuck Beadles, Carolan Brooks, Tom Tucker, Maxine Harrison, Korreen Rayl (Virginia Rayl’s daughter-in-law), individuals recently affected by the tornadoes, and service people and families.  

CONDOLENCES:  Condolences to the family of Ruth Jones on her passing. 

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Contact Dorothy Danner at 641-842-2557. 

E-PRAYER CHAIN
If you would like to sign up for the e-prayer chain to receive an e-mail any time a request is made for a prayer, please contact Heather at fumchurch@iowatelecom.net or 641-842-3712 with your name and e-mail information.  

THIS WEEKEND

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY during second service.

SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY






WWW.KIFUMC.ORG

NEW THIS WEEK!

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulation to Timothy Shepherd who qualified for state track.

Congratulations to KNIA/KRLS General Manager, Jim Butler, for KNIA/KRLS being recognized for overall excellence by the Iowa Broadcast News Association.  The station also received the organization’s top honor in the small market radio division during the annual convention awards banquet.  In addition, first place honors were awarded in Overall Excellence in Anchoring, Sports Coverage, and Use of Actuality categories. KNIA/KRLS also received honors in the Farm and Agribusiness, Sports Coverage, Spot News Coverage, Feature, Public Affairs, Sports Play-by-Play and Political Coverage categories for the small market radio division.

THANK YOU
To My Church Family – Thank you for your help, your prayers, love, and concern in the loss of my brother, Bob, and at this critical time in my son Larry’s life.  It has helped me very much.   Gratefully, Frances Kirkwood

HELP US CELEBRATE
Maria Diminet and host parents Terry and Cindy Fenoglio invite you to Maria’s high school graduation party on Sunday, May 29th from 4-6 p.m. in West Fellowship Hall. 

BOOK DONATIONS NEEDED
Sometime in the past members of the Administration Board did a book study on The Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger we are in need of 2 copies. If you were part of the Board at that time and have a copy still and no long need it we are requesting you donate to the church. If you would be so kind simply drop it off in the office or pass it on to Pastor Lane. We won’t be able to return it so we are asking you to donate the book verse borrowing. Thanks.

REMINDER
Nonperishable food items are always welcome to be brought to the church and we will forward them on to Helping Hands. 


NEW THIS WEEK

LECTIONARY:  May 28-29
Acts 17:22-31 Ps. 66:18-20 1 Pet. 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

ATTENDANCE/GIVING
May 16-17
Worship attendance:  201
Giving:  $4454.90

YOU ARE INVITED! 
The Marion County Historical Society invites you to their annual PIONEER DAY to be held Saturday May 28 at the Marion County Historical Village (in the Marion County Park).  Pancake breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Lunch served from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.  All eight buildings including the Museum will be open from 10:00 to 4:00 with no admission charge.  The day includes free entertainment, flea market, demonstrations of old time skills, vintage vehicles and a special Civil War display in the museum.

THIS WEEK…
Sunday May 22, 2011
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY
8:30 & 10:45a    Worship Services
9:30a                Sunday School

Monday May 23, 2011

1:00-3:30p         KAMA—Act Cntr

3:00-6:00p         Almost Free Shop

6:00-7:30p         Free Clinic – Act Cntr

6:00-8:30p         Habitat Board Mtg - EFH

Tuesday May 24, 2011

7:00-8:00a         Early Birds –  

                           Hardees

9:00a                Staff Mtg – Conf Rm

9:00a-Noon       Almost Free Shop
6:00-8:00p         Cub Scouts – WFH
7:00-8:00p         Jr. Optimists – EFH
7:00-8:00p        Healthy Church Mtg –
                          Library

Wednesday May 25, 2011

Noon                Wings – Conf Rm

1:00-3:30p         KAMA—Act Cntr

Thursday May 26, 2011

8:00a                Late Birds – Mr. C’s

1:30p                Mary Circle – EFH

1:30p                Sarah Circle – WFH

Friday May 27, 2011
9:00a-4:00p       Almost Free Shop
Saturday May 28, 2011 
HEIFER PROJECT
5:30p                Chapel Service
Sunday May 29, 2011
HEIFER PROJECT
8:30 & 10:45a    Worship Services
9:30a                Sunday School
12:00-6:00p       WFH – Reserved

Monday, May 16, 2011

MAY 14-15 ANNOUNCEMENTS

MAY 14-15 ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS…

HOSPITALIZED:  Ruby Shannon, Lela Todd, and Carolan Brooks.

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS:  Ruth Jones, Chuck Beadles, Bonnie Adkins, Tom Tucker, Maxine Harrison, Korreen Rayl (Virginia Rayl’s daughter-in-law), individuals recently affected by the tornadoes, and service people and families.  

CONDOLENCES:  Condolences to the family of Robert “Bob” Sherwood on his passing. 

Condolences to Donna Otto and family on the passing of her father.

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Contact Dorothy Danner at 641-842-2557. 

THIS WEEKEND

SERVICE RESPONSE SURVEY

YOUTH GROUP is meeting Sunday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in WFH/Youth Room.  All youth 6th through 12th grade are encouraged to attend. 

CONFIRMATION YOUTH AND MENTORS are meeting Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in EFH.

Sunday we honor our children and youth Sunday School Teachers and all of those that help in the education of our church!  Please thank the following for their dedication to the education of our children and youth:  Jennifer Wadle, Connie Chrisman, Cindy Fenoglio, Cindy Graeve, Maria Diminet, Cheryl Hennefeld, Julie Purvis, Brian Bishop, Katie Bishop, Dianne Redden, and Bonnie Crook.

NEW THIS WEEK!

MISSION TRIP EXPERIENCE
Diane McCombs will be sharing her mission trip experience Sunday, May 22 between services in West Fellowship Hall.  You are invited to come learn about her experience. 

HOMEBUILDERS
Homebuilders Sunday School party on May 19th at 11:30 a.m. at Godfather’s.

ORGAN BENEFIT RECITAL
Trinity United Methodist Church invite you to a benefit concert on Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 p.m. to raise funds for the repair and restoration of this historic organ that will be celebrating its centennial on June 11th and 12th. This organ, individually listed on the National Register for Historic Places, has been a rich voice of our congregation for a century, but is in need of major restoration.   The recital will take place at the corner of 8th and College Streets in Des Moines.   Please join for a time of uplifting music. 

LECTIONARY:  May 21–22
Acts 7:55-60 Ps. 31:1-5, 15-16 1 Pet. 2:2-10 John 14:1-14

ATTENDANCE/GIVING
May 7-8
Worship attendance:  200
Giving:  $5228.01






WEBSITE:   WWW.KIFUMC.ORG

ONGOING NEWS…

HEALTHY CHURCH
If you are interested in making positive changes in the church and beyond into the community now instead of later, please join us at the Healthy Church group meeting on May 18th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in EFH. 

MSPS GRADUATION/CONCERT
Montgomery Street Preschool Graduation and Spring Concert will take place on Thursday, May 19 at 7pm.

HANDICAPPED PARKING       There are not enough handicapped parking spots on the south side of the church to meet the expanding needs of our church. Attendance is picking up and we are in need of more parking spots by the south side entrance for those not able to walk far.  We have available parking spots in our parking lot on the east side of the church and also the city parking lot to the west for those young at heart and body as well.
THIS WEEK…
Sunday May 15, 2011
8:30 & 10:45a       Worship Services
9:30a                      Sunday School   
3:00-6:00p            Youth Group –  
                             Youth Rm
6:30-8:00p            Confirmation  
                             Class - EFH
Monday May 16, 2011

1:00-3:00p            KAMA—Act Cntr

3:00-6:00p            Almost Free Shop

6:30-7:30p            Work Area Meetings

7:30-8:30p            Ad Council Mtg – WFH

7:30-8:30p            Marion County Historical Society Mtg – Act Cntr

Tuesday May 17, 2011

7:00-8:00a            Early Birds – Hardees

9:00-10:00a          Staff Mtg – Conf

9:00a-Noon          Almost Free Shop
6:00-8:00p            Cub Scouts – WFH
7:00-8:00p            Jr. Optimists – EFH

Wednesday May 18, 2011

Noon                      Wings – Conf Rm

1:00-3:30p            KAMA—Act Cntr

4:30-5:30p            Girl Scouts – Preschool Rm

7:00-8:00p            Healthy Church – EFH

Thursday May 19, 2011
8:00a                      Late Birds – Mr. C’s
10:00a-Noon        4M Group – Library
11:30a                   Homebuilders –
Godfather’s
5:00-9:00p            MSPS Graduation – WFH/Sanctuary
7:00p                      Rebecca Circle – EFH
Friday May 20, 2011
9:00a-4:00p          Almost Free Shop
Saturday May 21, 2011
8:00-9:00a            SHARE Pickup – Act. Cntr       
5:30p                      Chapel Service
Sunday May 22, 2011
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY
8:30 & 10:45a       Worship Services
9:30a                      Sunday School

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

MAY 2011 NEWSLETTER

WAITING ON GOD
On May 5, Americans observe the National Day of Prayer.  Waiting on God is an important component of prayer.  It’s hard to understand why God delays when we cry out for help. Why does he allow us to suffer, when he could just say the word and make it all better?  Why must we wait?
Consider a child whose parents always give her whatever she asks, as soon as she asks for it. That child has little opportunity to learn patience or gratitude. Because she doesn’t know what it’s like to not have, she cannot appreciate the true value of something.
God may have some of these things in mind when our prayers go unanswered for a time. As the psalmist exhorts, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, NRSV).

Regardless of the circumstances that have gotten us to the point of feeling ignored by God, it is never the case, God is always with us, that is the true meaning of Easter.  Jesus told the first disciple, and his meaning was intended for us the succeeding generation of believers, “I am with you always, to the end of the earth.” (Matthew 28:20) When I feel spiritual adrift I turn once more to the encouraging words of St. Paul in Philippians 4:4-9; read them and mark your Bible as I have done so you may refer back to them often.   Pay particular attention to verse 8-9. 

A prayer for our church…Lord Jesus, we pray that you will somehow give us ears to hear, hearts to love and wills devoted to serve; that in the days to come this congregation may be known not for our glory but for thine alone - a congregation of people who know you; that this place may be an oasis, a place where people come to find out about you, where lives are straightened out and made whole, where people find the peace that passes understanding. Give us, we pray, a heart to desire these things above all else. We pray through Jesus Christ. Amen.



MSPS GRADUATION/CONCERT
The MSPS Spring Concert and Graduation Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.








VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS)
VBS will be held July 24 through July 28 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The theme this year is Son Surf Beach Bash.  Please be watching in early May for sign up sheets to help begin planning this great event.   If you are interested in helping, please contact Melinda O’Field, Cheryl Hennefeld, or Katie Bishop. 

SENIOR RECOGNITION
High School Senior Recognition Day will be held on Sunday, May 22.  If you are a senior, please make sure your name is turned into the office by May 5. 

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation Sunday will be held Sunday, May 22.   Please join us in congratulating the confirmands in their commitment to their faith.   This years confirmands are:   Emily Redden, Courtney O’Field, Jenny Petersen, Kamryn Ryan, Kiara Kappleman, Alex Purvis, Connor Bailey, Trevor Meyer, and Alex Wadle. 


SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
Summer Sunday school will be starting Sunday, June 5.  If you would be interested in helping teach the children this summer, please contact Cheryl Hennefeld or Katie Bishop.  






SALT AND LIGHT COMPANY YOUTH GROUP
The Salt and Light Company will be meeting on Sunday, May 15 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.  We will be having an extra hour this month as we will be helping Maria in her collection of food items and donations for Helping Hands.  The group will be going out into the community to collect donations.  Donations may also be dropped off at church on Sunday morning.  All youth in 6th through 12th grades are encouraged to attend. 

The Salt and Light schedule for summer is as follows:
-          May 15 from 3-6 p.m.
-          June 12 from 4-6 p.m.
-          July 10 from 4-6 p.m.
-          More activities will be added, check the Youth Blog at http://www.kifumc.org/ for more information. 


NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER MAY 5TH
The First United Methodist chapel will be open for your special prayer needs on Thursday, May 5 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the National Day of Prayer.  We hope you will take advantage of the day and offer your prayers in the chapel or wherever you may be for the healing of our country, those suffering from natural disasters, for our brothers, sisters in need or other personal needs.  Helpful scriptures, Prayer cards and “How to Pray” brochures will be available for our prayer team members assistances.  We have invited the community to join with us for the day in the chapel.  There will be a community wide “Prayer Walk” from 6:00 to 7:00 pm starting at our chapel and hopefully at other churches throughout the community.  We are in need of prayer hosts at the chapel for one half intervals during the day please contact Merna or Heather to sign up.
WE CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER THE TIME IS NOW!

HEALTHY CHURCH
If you are interested in making positive changes in the church and beyond into the community now instead of later, please join us at the Healthy Church group meeting on May 18th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in EFH. 








NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY
Sunday, May 8 is Native American Sunday.   The Native American Ministries Sunday offering develops and strengthens Native American ministries within the annual conference, expands the number of target cities in the Native American Urban Initiative and educates Native American seminarians.  In Robeson County, NC, Native American youth struggle with disproportionately high dropout rates, school suspensions, and teen pregnancies.   However, because of the generosity shown by you and other United Methodists, lay and clergy mentors in Robeson County are working with six local high schools to reverse the statistics.   Gifts to the 2010 Native American Ministries Sunday offering provided $10,000 to Pembroke First United Methodist Church, which started a mentorship program called “Spiritual Connections in Sacred Pathways”.   Your gifts also support people like Rev. David Dunson, who received a seminary scholarship funded by the special offering.  As assistant to a deputy chief of the 70,000 member Muscogee Creek Nation, Dunson responds to many tribal concerns – troubled families, at-risk youth, illiteracy, unemployment, and substance abuse.   Thank you for the gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday.  Because of you, The United Methodist Church collaborates with existing Native American ministries and creates new outreach.  You also support seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans. 

A CALL TO SERVICE
A Call To Service (ACTS) is partnering with Meals from the Heartland to bring a Surge Service Event to Knoxville on May 14.   Be a part of something big!  Surge events bring hundreds of volunteers together in one community for ½ day project.   The time commitment is small, but the impact is HUGE!  Use your hands to love your neighbor.  Most of the projects will be focused around painting, clean-up, landscaping, and other home repair items.  If you have never been to a service event before, don’t worry, you will be provided with everything needed to participate.   They will take care of the details and do the planning.  All you need to do is sign up and show up ready to help someone who needs a hand!   Registration is available at www.actsofiowa.org or at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.   All volunteers are welcome regardless of age, skill level, or faith background.  General labor, hospitality, photographer, videographer, and prayer roles are available.   Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

 

LAITY 2.0 SEMINAR

Is GOD calling you OUT?   If so, then Laity 2.0 might be for you!   Laity 2.0 is a beginning of conversation and ground level movement of people who feel as if God is calling them out from within the walls of the church and the old ways of doing things to a new day and new movement of the people of God who make an impact upon their communities and their world to reach new people in new places through new communities of faith for Jesus Christ!  This event will take place on May 21 at the Annex at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with guest speaker Rev. Shane Bishop.   Registration deadline is May 13.   Cost is $20 per person.  If you would like to register, send your name, mailing address, and email along with a check for $20 made payable to the Iowa Annual Conference to:   Methodist Church, Attn:  Barb Mann, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA  50321.


WESLEY WOODS SUMMER KICK-OFF
Everyone is invited on Saturday, June 4 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Come see what Wesley Woods is all about!  Activities for family, kids, and adults.   No cost to attend.   There will be blob, slip-n-slide, swimming, horseback rides, archery, inflatable games, face painting, climbing wall, zip line canoeing, pontoon rides, fishing, wagon tours, and more as well as a free will donation supper, silent auction baskets with the proceeds going toward camperships, and the evening closing with a worship service lead by 2011 Summer staff. 




THANK YOU
I want to say a grateful “thank you” for all the cards, telephone calls, and visits I have received while being in the hospital.   They have really been appreciated.   Also, thanks to Rev. Hill and Rev. Riggle for the hospital visits.   How nice to have a great church family.   May God bless each of you.  Lela Todd

Thank you!! MSPS greatly appreciates the support from the Church Family.   Thank you to all that have supported our program this year!!

Thank you to everyone that helped with Good Friday Day Camp!  It was a huge success and the kids had a great time!

The Trustees would like to express our appreciation to Bob and Ryan Hardman of Creative Landscaping for removing the bushes on the north side of the playground and also for their care of the lawn for the church and parsonage! 

The Trustees greatly appreciate MSPS sharing their work with the church with the decorations in the entry and past decorations of WFH.  We have had many positive comments about how inviting it looks, brighten up the entry!

Dear Friends in Mission, Thank you for your generous gifts to United Methodist Committee on Relief, 100% of your contribution will go to Church World Service, Blankets+, Advance #98210 through The Advance, the designated giving channel of the United Methodist Church.  Because you gave, UMCOR is able to “Be there” and “Be Hope” on your behalf.   UMCOR programs provide food for the hungry, help farmers grow plentiful and nutritious food, and support people left destitute by natural disasters and war.   Your gifts go a long way to bring healing and hope to people in need.  We give thanks for your generosity.    UMCOR

Dear friends at Knoxville UMC, Thank you for your faithfulness in Jesus Christ and through your giving 100% in apportionments.  Your faithfulness is really making a difference in this world!  Blessings, Paul M. Smith

Dear friends at Knoxville First, We thank you for your continued support through our apportioned giving at 100%.  We celebrate your faithfulness.  Superintendent, Bill Poland 

CONDOLENCES
Condolences to Joyce Brooks and family on the death of her sister.






CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Sharon and Jim Young on the birth of their grandson.









WANTED:  COMPUTER
If you are upgrading your computer system and have a computer tower with an operating system of XP or newer that you would like to get rid of, please donate it to the church office.





CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
Do you have skill sets that would be helpful to others in your community and would like to share your skills after a disaster, please email disaster.response@iaumc.org with the following information:  Name, skill, where training was received and when, contact information, and availability.  A comprehensive volunteer list will enable the Conference to better target our emails to persons interested in a specific type of service in your district that you might not otherwise know about.  





MAY 2011

John Wesley on the Means of Grace
Henry H. Knight III
JOHN WESLEY WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED to the Protestant principle that salvation is by grace alone.   What he rejected was any depiction of grace where persons were simply passive recipients.   Instead, he saw grace enabling and inviting us into a transforming relationship with God.  We are to be active recipients, responding to God and remaining open to receive all that God offers us. 
       While God is free to meet us in extraordinary ways, Wesley believed God has promised to meet us in the means of grace.   He defined “means of grace” as “outward signs, words, or actions ordained of God, and appointed for this end – to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey…preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace” (“Means of Grace,” II.1).  The means of grace are things we do or say that the Holy Spirit uses to enable our growth in the Christian life. 
       In describing means of grace, Wesley frequently distinguished between “works of piety” and “works of mercy.”  Works of piety are those means of grace that have God as their object.   Among these are public and private prayer; the Lord’s Supper; reading, hearing, and meditating on scripture; and Christian conversation.  
       Prayer, said Wesley is “the breath of our spiritual life” (Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, 1 Thess. 5:16).  Just as breathing is necessary to our physical life, so is prayer to our life with God.  
Wesley urged persons to use every opportunity to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  When we come to communion, he said, Jesus Christ “will meet you at his own table”.   ("On Working Out Our Own Salvation," II.4), bringing the very life of God to our souls.
Regarding scripture, Wesley noted that when Paul urges the Colossians to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" he does not mean it should "make a short stay, or an occasional visit, but to take up its stated residence ... so as to fill and govern the whole soul" (Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, Col. 3:16). Wesley applied this principle to scripture as a whole. As we read it and meditate upon it, God speaks to us through it, it dwells within us, and the word of Christ increasingly gov­erns our hearts and lives.
Whether conferences with preachers, large society meetings, or smaller class and band meetings, Christian conversation was a constant feature of early Methodism. Wesley was convinced that when we talk about what it would mean for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, God will work in our lives to enable us to be more faithful and loving.

Works of mercy have our neighbor as their object. Wesley urged Methodists to do good to all people, to their bodies as well as their souls. In his day, this included feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and those in prison, aiding the stranger, provid­ing education and training, opposing evils such as the slave trade, and healing through medicine and prayer. Wesley insisted that it was not enough to do things for the poor; Methodists should get to know them through developing relationships with them. As they did, God would work through those relationships, and the works of mercy would be a means of grace for both.

It is in these and other means of grace that we find the presence and power of God that transforms our lives, enabling us ever more fully to love God and our neigh­bor as God has loved us.

A Time to Learn about the Means of Grace
Bishop Coyner
many CHURCHES CELEBRATE Confirmation Sunday sometime during the month of May as a part of the fifty-day Easter celebration, so this month is a good time to teach about the means of grace. The Wesleyan perspective on disciples joins other Protestant churches in recognizing two sacraments: baptism and communion. The Protestant Reformation departed from Roman Catholicism by reducing the number of sacraments from seven to the two that the New Testament Jesus "instituted" or commanded. Jesus taught us to "baptize in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," and Jesus taught us when we share the bread and cup and to "do this in remembrance of me."
The United Methodist Church celebrates baptism as the beginning of church membership, and so we baptize children with their parents or guardians profess vows of faith and promising to raise their children in the faith. When children are old enough to go through Confirmation, they become "professing members" who make their own faith promises to Christ and the Church. Persons can be baptized by any of the three uses of water—aspersion (sprinkling), effusion (pouring), or immersion (dunking)—because we understand that it is God's Spirit who baptizes us and not the amount of water. Likewise, in our church we celebrate Holy Communion with open table whereby all who come seeking Christ are welcome. Normally baptism precedes receiving communion, but our church does not require that a person be baptized to receive, and we certainly do not require persons to be members of our church or of any church to receive. We regard both baptism and communion as "mean grace" whereby God reaches out to us and we respond in faith. (For more teaching material about our sacraments, By Water and the Spirit and This Holy Mystery are available as helpful study guides for your church.)
As you confirm youth into the faith, your church will have a teachable moment when you may explain the meaning of our sacraments as "sacred moments" when we believe that God is present in our lives. Confirmation is also a time to teach about the importance of church membership. Although we live in a culture in which many per­sons are reluctant to join institutions, church membership is a statement of faith and intentionality to live a life of Christian discipleship. It is more than just an institu­tional act; it is a declaration of one's commitment to Christ and to the Body of Christ, the Church.
Some churches find that Confirmation Sunday is a time for
every member to recommit themselves to faithful membership and discipleship. As your church wel­comes youth through confirmation or anyone else into membership, emphasize and celebrate the congregational response from the liturgy: "With you we renew our vows to uphold the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service."