On Sunday, June 15th, our confirmation youth for 2008/2009 will be going to camp for a week of great fun, fellowship, and learning. Rev. Bailey will be joining the campers and other pastors and youth from around the District will also be present.

Our church has found this camp to be a great way to begin our youth on the journey of learning about faith and becoming members of our church. Those going this year are: Matthew Beebe, Paige Davis, Mitchell Cabalka, Amber Juhl, Abby Lake, Megan Lang, Abby McGraw, Austin Rasmussen, Austin Wright, and Emily Holmes. Please pray for this to be a great experience and a time of opening to God’s love.

Pastor Bailey, Nancy, Jerry & Mary Ellen Earles will be representing our church at the Iowa Annual Conference, June 5th - 8th. Annual Conference will be held in Ames, Iowa at the Hilton Coliseum. During this event there will be Ordination of Deacons and Elders, legislation on programs of Ministry and excellent worship opportunities. Lay members of local churches and pastors from all over Iowa attend this conference each year. Please pray for our representatives during this time. Thanks.

6-01-08 “True Disciples” Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus makes it very clear. It is not just our declaration that we are “Christians” that makes a difference to God. It is how we truly live it out. Life in Jesus is both “being” a Christian and “doing” the Christian Life. What does the fruit of your walk with Jesus look like?

6-08-08 Annual Conference Sunday
This Sunday promises to be a great Sunday for worship. We will be having a Hymn Singing time and also a great Video message by Rob Bell from NOOMA.

6-15-08 “The Lord of the Harvest” Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus talks about the harvest being great but the workers so few. What does Jesus mean as He sends His disciples out to be workers in the harvest? Does it mean to bring people to God? How can you be a worker in Harvesting of people?

6-22-08
Pastor Bailey will be gone - Mary Ellen Earles will be preaching.

6-29-08 “Jesus’ Love for the Sinners” Matthew 9:9-13
This interesting passage of scripture talks about Jesus calling of the disciple Matthew even though he was a tax-collector and known as a very unscrupulous occupation. In fact Jesus ate with others from the same profession and was “taken to task” for it. Jesus replies that he came for sinners not the righteous. Jesus - a Friend of the sinner (that’s you and me)!

This month’s special offering is to help with the Camp Fund of our church. The cost of a week at camp for children and youth has risen to around $320. Our church has pledged to pay 50% of the camp cost for any child or youth that is interested in going to camp. So you can see how much we need your help in giving to this fund. Christian camp can make a big difference in a child’s life and faith building. Please consider giving generously this month to this great offering. Offering envelopes have been included with the newsletter or just designate your gift “Camp Fund” when giving.

The June 5th Meeting of UMW will be at 6 pm in the Wesley Room hosted by Priscilla Circle. The program is “Made in the Image of God” and will be presented by Phyllis Davis. The Bible verse for June is from Phillippians 1:11 God’s Word. There will be a memorial service for members who have died in the past year. All ladies are welcome. A big thank you to all members who helped make the May guest day a success - We cannot do it without your help.

In Christ,
Ann Gistch

It’s back!!! Wednesdays with the Word (aka: www.everyone.come)

We will again meet on Wednesdays in July for our faith, fun, food and fellowship time. We will start in the sanctuary at 5:30 for prayer and then proceed to fellowship hall for dinner. Then the adults have your choice of attending “The Lucy Show Bible Study” lead by Julie Flickinger which features hilarious videos by Lucille Ball and discussion about her schemes and ways she tries to “do her thing”. Or you can attend a video study lead by Mary Ellen Earles called “God is Closer Than You Think”. This video will take you on a journey that will help you: experience God’s presence in the busy matrix of your life and help you hear God speak in ways you understand.

For the kids, Jane Adams has some fun activities along with a mission project. There is a sitter provided for the babies.

The church is reaching out to those in our community by giving 20 dinner tickets each Wednesday to the food pantry. The Food Pantry will hand them out to people so they can come and enjoy an evening of food and fellowship with us. We hope you will take time out of your busy schedule to attend.

If you are willing to help out with providing the meal in someway please contact Linda Stamper 334-4261. It has been a fun and rewarding experience. There will be a sign up sheet in Wesley Room the month of June for those who want to attend and for you who would like to help out. Thanks!!!

Jonathan Bailey, Pastor Bailey’s son, is attending Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas to train to go into the ministry as a pastor. Our church has pledged to support him with money that comes from the Foundation of our local church. Jonathan sends us this letter in response to a recent gift of $1,000 toward the tuition of his school:

“Dear Church Family - I want to thank you so much for your support of both my education and my further ministry. Your support is a true testament to the grace that God is pouring into and through you. The missional actions of First United Methodist Church in Independence have allowed me to focus more intently on the education that I am receiving at Perkins School of Theology. These actions will soon allow for me to serve in the Iowa Annual Conference which will continue the ministry of the United Methodist Church. Again, thank you for your contribution to my education and further ministry.”

“Life seems to stand still while attending seminary; days become months, and before you know it the academic year is over. In the past year my wife Mara Bailey and I have moved residences to Red Oak, Texas where we both serve a congregation as assistant pastors. We are also both attending Perkins School of Theology - which is located in Dallas - full time. Our semesters are progressing nicely; in fact right now we are both finishing our credo-the word credo can be translated as “I believe” if that gives you any indication of the work ahead! The hope is that when a student graduates from Perkins, they graduate with the ability to relate complex theological doctrines and terms effectively. This allows for a greater sense of what it means to be evangelistic and to make disciples within the church. Along with Systematics - (The class in which we write our credo) I am also taking Interpretation of the Old Testament, Introduction to the Practice of Evangelism, and Introduction to Preaching. It is a full semester but with the continued prayers of those that are part of the church family, it all goes a little easier. I can’t wait until I can join in communion with the Independence FUMC family again. Until then, may God bless you and keep you.”

Jonathan C. L. Bailey

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I would like to thank Rev. Bailey and our church family for the many calls, cards, and well wishes after my surgery. They were very much appreciated.

Nat Bly

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Thank you for the phone calls and for all of those on the prayer line that have been praying for my Grandson Cody. We really appreciate all the support from our church family.

Deb Platt and family.

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Thank you to those who donated food and money to the food pantry during our Feinstein Challenge. We are so thankful and appreciate your thoughtfulness in helping us help so many families in our County.

May God Bless You, Frankie Bowden, Director

1. Pray: Summer is coming, pray for children and families to enjoy some special times together in fellowship, worship, prayer and reading of Scripture. Take a few minutes each day to thank God and to seek His guidance as a family.
2. Pray: For protection over our nation, state and community as people travel, participate in water sports, ballgames, and may there be safety and joy in all these.
3. Pray: You might come to have a hunger for the Word of God, that you begin to read it daily and pray over it that God would reveal Himself to you and guide you to do what He desires for you. Scripture states He guides the steps of a righteous man.
4. Pray: For the Iowa United Methodist Conference that representatives will seek to do what God would desire in our church across the state. Help us to hear from Him and may our church continue to preach the gospel, teach the Word and honor Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior forever.

Thank you for your prayers. Blessings to you and your family and may we all notice the beauty of the trees and flowers this spring. Thank God for warm, sunny days and take note to enjoy it.

Love, Mary Ellen

June 2008 Jr. High Youth Schedule:

6/28-- Youth Group Car Wash (tentative date)
6/13-- Pool Party (depending on the weather)

June 2008 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

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