Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 13th, from 2-4 pm. The S/P/P/R committee will hold a Farewell Reception in Fellowship hall for Dennis and Nancy. All are invited to attend.

Greetings Everyone!

It is with great joy and anticipation that we prepare to come to Independence! We are looking forward to our time together and the common work we do to make disciples and share God’s love!

You may be wondering about us. We are finishing our eighth year in Solon. Previously, we lived and served in Epworth for eight years.

We have two daughters, Emma and Sophia. Emma is completing the fifth grade and Sophia the second grade. Both girls enjoy swimming and music.

Heather is currently working as a school nurse in Solon. She likes gardening and taking our dog, Misty, on long walks.

I am completing my third appointment as a church pastor. I began my ministry as a student pastor in Illinois (near our hometown of Naperville, Illinois).

Upon graduating from seminary at Garrett-Evangelical in 1994, I came to Iowa. I went on to receive my Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Dubuque in 2002.

In my spare time, I enjoy running, golf, and going to movies.

Again, we are looking forward to coming to Independence and meeting all of you! Dennis and Nancy have been so warm and gracious to us in this time of transition. It is a privilege to follow them. We wish them the very best as they move to Carroll.

Peace and Blessings,
Scott, Heather, Emma, and Sophia

In place of what we have previously done on Wednesdays in July, WWW, there will be two “Welcome Wednesdays” July 14 and July 21, 5:30-7:30. This will be a time to come and meet Rev. Scott Meador, Heather, Emma, & Sophia and welcome them to the church family. There will be a meal and a sign up sheet so that we know how many to plan for each Wednesday. Please try to attend one of these Wednesdays.

-SPPR Committee

6-6-10 Iowa Annual Conference Sunday Hymn sing and Video Presentation
Please pray for Rev. Bailey, Nancy, Mary Ellen & Jerry Earles as they will be going to the Iowa Annual Conference in Des Moines for 4 days to help with decisions on matters that will affect us all.

6-13-10 “Forgive Us So That We Might Forgive” Luke 7:36-50
This is a wonderful scripture that deals with the subject of grace & forgiveness in three ways:1) Jesus spent time with sinners. He loved them. He ate & drank with them, spoke grace to them & sought to bring them to himself in love. 2) We are all sinners. There is no hierarchy of sin. 3) We are called, as forgiven sinners, to never judge others. We are called as receivers of grace to give & share with others.

6-20-10 “Deliver Us From Evil” Luke 8:26-38
We need a Savior who can deliver us from evil. Evil is a powerful force in this world. It manifests itself in our personal lives, in our spiritual lives, in how we treat others, and at a level of society. Only Jesus can answer the question of deliverance. Let us look at it this Sunday.

6-27-10
New Pastor - Scott Meador starts

At the Iowa Annual Conference on June 6th, Jon and Mara, son and daughter - in - law of Rev. Dennis & Nancy Bailey, will be commissioned to serve in their first full time appointments. Jon came to Independence as a sophomore in High School when the Baileys moved here in 1997. He felt the call to ministry after graduating from High School. After going to Simpson College and then seminary training at Perkins School of Theology, in Dallas, Texas, he and his wife Mara will enter full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church.

Mara will be appointed as Director of Religious Life at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska and Jon will be appointed at Beatrice, Nebraska, 40 miles south of Lincoln, as the Associate Pastor. They will keep their membership in the Iowa Annual Conference.

Our church has supported Jon both financially and with prayer in this journey. Continue to offer prayers for Jon and Mara as they begin a new step in the call of God on their lives.

Do you enjoy music, like to tinker with electronics, and have some free time on your hands? Ok, that sounds like a very loaded question….but we are looking for a fill in Sound System person. Someone who would be willing to work with Dave to learn the Sound system and how it works. This person would be willing to fill in for vacation or an occasional Sunday Worship Service. If you think you might be interested, stop upstairs in the balcony and see Dave on Sunday mornings or call the church office at 334-3689. We will “hook you up”.

Mom, I’m bored! I don’t have anything to do. I’ve already played with all my toys. I practiced by t-ball and soccer with the team. Now what can I do? I went to the pool yesterday…

How many times have you heard this from your kids? Well, we’ve got a solution for you, Son Rock Kids Camp! The camp is FREE! Your kids get FOOD...not only for the body, but also for their minds! And it’s a safe environment for them to learn and play in. We hope you will take the opportunity to register your kids for VBS. Son Rock Kids Camp is open to anyone in the community entering Kindergarten through the 5th grade. Son Rock Kids Camp will be held here at the church with the help from the Presbyterian church from 1:30-5:30 pm on July 6-8th. Call the church office at 334-3689 to sign up today!

It’s hard to believe that it is time to get ready for July and WWW. This year will be a little different as the first Wednesday, Vacation Bible School is here. So on the next two Wednesdays, June 14 & June 21, 5:30-7:30 the SPPR wants to have Welcome Wednesdays to meet and greet Rev. Scott Meador, Heather, Emma and Sophia. There will be a meal. There will be a sign up sheet a few weeks ahead, so we can plan accordingly. God has blessed our church family and we want Rev. Scott and his family to know how happy we are they are moving here. So come and enjoy food and fellowship on June 14th and/or June 21st.

• Pray for all the high school and college graduates that will be completing their courses and moving on to their next adventure. Pray they make good choices and they pray to hear from God regarding their plans. We pray specifically for those entering the military, for protection and for God’s timing on where they are sent.
• Pray for the transition from Pastor Bailey to Pastor Meador, knowing they all have a lot to do to get ready to move. Pray for their families, too. Pray it all flows smoothly and they are at peace. Also,
• pray for our UMC staff as they adjust to the changes.
• Pray for our summer plans for Vacation Bible School to be at UMC on July 6—8, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Pray for teachers, leaders, helpers and attendants that God will be in control and His purpose will be accomplished. We pray for unity (teamwork) between the two churches involved - Presbyterian and UMC.
• Pray for those traveling this summer - for families to have some special time together and for safety on the highways. Pray for all of us to seek God for His plans and know that as we go, we are not alone.

The church has a few items it can no longer use. Things like an old pew, some old tables (that could use a little TLC), odds and ends kinds of things that will be downstairs on the stage from June 6th - 20th. These items are free to a good home. If anyone is interested please let Linda Stamper know. We hope someone can put them to use. Come and check them out!

You and your friends are cordially invited to
Independence, Iowa Women’s Connection
Friday, June 11, 69:30 am
Independence Senior Center
Brunch $7.75
“Be a Bag Lady”
Feature: The purse store & more by Katie Trimble
Music: Vocal by Mary Kay Miller
Speaker: Linda Sill, Chillicothe, IL
“Who is Your Best Friend”
Reservations call Donna at 334-4990
Free Childcare Available

June 2010 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

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