Question: Why do we need a new boiler?

Answer: The boiler inspector, this year, said that because of structural damage and leaking in the base of the boiler it was no longer safe and was no longer usable. Therefore the State of Iowa has shut our boiler down.

Question: What will it cost to replace the boiler and who will do the work?

Answer: Our Administrative Council, along with the Board of Trustees has accepted a bid from Waterloo Boiler. The cost is around $80,000. We will be putting in two smaller size boilers that will give us great efficiency and the cost for two smaller ones is the same as one very large one.

Question: Will our utility costs go down?

Answer: The new boilers will give us an efficiency rating of around 87%. The existing boiler’s efficiency is closer to 50%. This could make a big difference in our utility costs.

Question: How will we pay for this project?

Answer: We will need the help of the whole congregation. Funding for this project needs to be from gifts that are over and above the giving to the church budget. There may be some that God will lead to give a larger “up front” gift toward this project. Money that is not funded by the time the boiler is finished (sometime in October) will need to be put on a loan. Hopefully we will be able then to pay of that loan with a 3-year pledge system or special giving opportunities. At this time we have gifts totaling around $4,000 and the Trustees gave $8,000 toward the project as we signed the contract for the work to be done. So we are on our way. But we have still a long way to go.

Question: Will this affect the giving to our regular church budget and ministry?

Answer: It is our hope and prayer as a church that God will seek to lay upon our congregation’s heart to help fund this need and also be able to keep a strong ministry giving in our church. Boilers are here to support the church’s ministry not to hinder it. We hope that all will seek to keep their giving to the church strong and then to seek to help in a special way with the boiler’s cost. This attitude of giving, along with prayer for God’s help, will continue to bless us for the years to come.

Tuesday, August 12
12:30-6 pm
Presbyterian Church

Sunday, September 21st
(2008 Faith & Family Day)
Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers @ Noon

If you would like to attend this game and then stay after for an exclusive postgame event featuring defensive coordinator Leslie Fraizer and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, please contact the church office for more information on tickets and getting together a group to go!

The Discipline of the United Methodist Church gives Pastor Bailey the opportunity and encouragement to take time off for vacation and refreshment. The church allows four weeks including four Sundays off. (This excludes times at camp or Annual Conference.) Pastor has taken a full week in July and will be taking two full weeks in August for vacation. August 3 – 17 has been designated for this. There will be those appointed to fill in for pastoral needs and other concerns that might come up. We also have a wonderful staff and they are able to take over in many ways to help our ministry continue.

When the appeal went out to our church family to help Lamont with some aid in the destruction from the floods that ravished that little community, you were right there. Your response was great! Through your donations, our church sent a gift of money in the amount of $1493.00. As Pastor Brochschink said in his thank you note to our congregation,

“THANK YOU! Your contribution means a lot to this community. Your generous gift has helped the healing process of so many people whose lives have been interrupted by the flooding. May God bless you, as you have blessed the lives of so many people!”

On behalf of the Mission Team, may I add our thanks to all those who contributed to the Disaster Fund for Lamont, and to those who are still helping in some way to ease the pain of so many people who are suffering from the affects of this disaster. And a big thank you to Sarah Rothman, Dean Benter, Tony Barker, Jason Lang, Mollie Small, Melody Barker, and Kurt Barker who helped volunteer in Waverly with flood clean-up. Melody and Kurt having been through the flood of “99 here, were able to minister to people about their experiences that their family went through dealing with clean-up, FEMA, etc. Our hats off to this team for taking time to help people in need!

Events Coming up!

September: Mark your calendars for September 28th. The Mission Team and the Education Team are again teaming up for the annual FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL. There will be games, food, home made ice cream, and fellowship. We will have the Silent Basket Auction again, so start thinking of “goodies” to put in these baskets. If you would like to participate, you may start bringing your baskets the first week of September and leave them in room 104. We will start the auction on Sunday, September 14th and will run through 9:00 am on Sunday, September 28th. The same format will be used - bidding by number - so get your number on the 14th and “start your bidding”.
November: UMCOR KITS and GIFT TREE ( more about these later)

Bev Coulter, Chair Missions Team

This is for your child ages Kindergarten through 5th grade. (Middle School, High School, & Adult Volunteers are also needed.) There is fun, food, videos, games, and Bible Study. Come join us from 1:15-4 pm. The dates are:

Sept. 10 & 24
Oct. 8 & 22
Nov. 5 & 19
Dec. 10
Jan. 14 & 28
Feb. 11 & 25
March 25
April 8 & 22
May 6

Please call to sign up your child now! 334-3689

Wow! Summer is about over and it is time to plan for fall activities. This will be the third year we have had the Early Out After School Program and with a lot of preparation, prayer and helpers it has gone wonderfully well. We want to continue with this successful ministry but we need YOUR help. If you could help any time it would be great. We need adults and youth helpers and want to set up a schedule so we know who will be helping when. If you would like to be a part of this program please contact me. Also another reminder if you would like to do a children’s sermon...just let me know. God Bless you all for your help.

Thank you to everyone who helped with WWW this year. It wouldn’t have been a great experience if you hadn’t helped out in your special way!

Pray Psalm 100:

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!” Lord, help us remember to be joyful and to shout to the Lord as we go about our day. “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” Help us, Lord, to serve you with gladness and to sing through our day and make a joyful noise unto You. “Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Lord, help us to know You are the one that made us and that we are Your sheep and that we follow Your lead, as You are our Shepherd. Help us surrender our day to Your plans. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Help us to be thankful people and to praise Him for all things. Help us to remember to bless His name - to lift up His name and to be grateful. Enter His presence with praise.

As we live the Word, we will experience more of His presence in our lives. Our problems become small and His guidance and answers become big as we keep our focus on things above - on Jesus. Remember to pray for our funds for the new boiler, for our staff and for our families to continue to grow in faith. Have a great August - enjoy the warm days, blue skies and sunshine!

Mark your calendars:

August 24 : 4 pm Jr. High Picnic at Teacher’s park

We are in the planning stages for the school year with Sr. High Youth. Check this spot each month for important information about upcoming activities.

August 2008 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

If you have a news item that you would like posted here, send it to us!