Another opportunity to give over and above your tithe is to the Native American Ministries Offering. This offering will go for outreach to Native American communities. It will provide scholarships to Native Americans to go to school to become pastors. If you would wish to participate in this offering simply designate a special gift to Native American Offering.

This month, the Independence Area Food Pantry will participate in the “Feinstein Foundation Challenge. This is the 10th year that Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million dollars among non-profit agencies. Food and Funds donated to the Food Pantry before April 30th will be reported to the Foundation. The more that is donated the more the Independence Area Food Pantry will receive from the Feinstein Foundation.

We are asking you to consider participating in this great opportunity by giving either food items or a money gift during the month of April. Just bring food items to the church and place them in a box that will be in the entry way of our church. Any money gifts given should be designated “Food Pantry”. Let’s do our part in helping others who are hungry and in need. A special offering envelope is included in this newsletter.

WHAT: Focus on the Family’s “The Truth Project”

WHEN: Tuesdays beginning April 1st from 5-6:30 pm

WHERE: Fellowship Hall, UMC to use big screen TV

WHO: Facilitated by Mary Ellen Earles & Linda Stamper who attended training on this project recently. (www.thetruthproject.org for more information) Anyone interested in learning about the Biblical Worldview is invited to attend one or more of these sessions. We will watch a DVD and then share our responses. These are entertaining and interesting and will make us think about what we really believe.

4-6-08 “On the Road to Emmaus” Luke 24:13-35
The scripture for this Sunday shares one of many accounts where Jesus appears to His disciples. The interesting part of this account is that they did not recognize Him until He presented the thanks at the meal. How often is Jesus in our midst and we don’t recognize it? We need to be very attentive to His presence in our midst.

4-13-08 “The Fellowship of the Believers” Acts 2:42-47
How did the first Christians act? What did they do? This account in the Book of Acts eludes to the fact that they:

1. Gathered together in worship
2. Read the apostles teachings
3. Prayed
4. Shared with each other so no one was in need, and
5. Witnessed a life that others around them wanted to be a part of.

4-20-08
Rev. Carroll Robinson will give the Message.

4-27-08 “Left - Over Obedience” John 14:15-21
As Jesus is sharing with the disciples in the upper room just before he is taken from them, he wanted to help them to know how to live when He is gone. He does assure them that He will send the Holy Spirit as their helper, but He also tells them something very interesting. One of the ways that a Christian believer will be showing their love for Jesus is in obedience. Whoever obeys Him is the one who shows Him love. What kind of life are we to live in obedience to the Lord?

A big THANK YOU to Bonnie Davis who brought back a beautiful olive wood hand carved Last Supper from her trip to Israel. Bonnie has donated it to the church and it is on display in Wesley room.

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Carroll Robinson will be traveling to Oberamergau, Bavaria to see the Passion Play in 2010. Anyone interested in traveling with Carroll should register as early as possible to guarantee tickets to the play. You can register for $100 and then you will be billed periodically beginning in May. For more information on brochures or how you can register call Carroll Robinson at 319-361-2854.

There will be a new five week Bible study on Sunday mornings. The first one is March 30th. We meet in the sanctuary at 10:30 and it is for any adults who wish to come. It is the Nooma series and the first one is entitled NAME. (We compare ourselves to others. We spend our lives wondering what others think and say about us. Some of us even wish we were someone else. We question why we are the way we are and not the way we wish we could be. Some of us have let the expectations of others dictate who we’ve become. We act a certain way to be accepted but know that we’re being untrue. But why are we so concerned with what other people think, say or look like? What does it say about us if we are able to accept who we are? Maybe if we really knew our true selves, we wouldn’t give so much attention to other peoples’ lives and live more in tune with the life God wants for us.) The other titles are OPEN, STORE, TODAY and YOU. Come see what they are about. I think you will find them inspirational and enlightening. The facilitators are Jane Adams, Julie Flickinger, Sue Knott, and me.

May looks really busy. Like what month isn’t? Confirmation is May 4th, Mother’s Day is May 11th and Graduation is May 25th. School does eventually get out in June and then many summer activities begin. WWW - Wednesdays With the Word, will be back in July. There will be two exciting programs to choose from as well as fun and inspirational times for the kids. Oh, yes...food too. Watch for more information in the next newsletters.

1. Thank God for the change of seasons - spring is here and flowers are reminding us there is new life. Praise Him for the natural and spiritual seasons and His order in our world.
2. Pray for school students and teachers as they attempt to complete required work with all the days they have missed. Pray the students listen and learn what they need to pass their classes.
3. Pray for our UMC ministry, staff and all the plans for summer that are being made. There will be new faith building opportunities.
4. Pray for our young families that they will want to make time to worship and serve God in the midst of very busy schedules.

Our monthly Sunday night service will be April 13th at 6 pm and we will “Celebrate SPRING!”

Thank you to those who helped with the Pancake Supper!

Upcoming events: April 11, 7:00 p.m.-12:00 mid.-- Planet X trip.

April 2008 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

April 2008 Acolytes: Megan Lang & Paige Davis
May 2008 Acolytes: Josh Barske & Austin Rasmussen

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