Harvest Dinner is just around the corner. It will be Wednesday, October 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will need the help of many in order to successfully plan, cook, and serve. If you are able to help in any way, would you please fill out the insert in this newsletter and return it in the collection plate or bring it to the church office. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

There are 2 opportunities to attend “guest night” at area churches. Please note the following invitations and plan on attending.

On behalf of the Women’s Fellowship of Winthrop we would like to invite you to our “Guest Night” on Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00 at the Church of Christ United, Winthrop. The Cono Christian School from Walker will be sharing their talents with us that evening.

Shirley Arnold, President
319-953-3353

You are invited to the Brandon United Methodist Church Fall Guest Night on Wednesday October 17, 2007, for a 6:30 p.m. Soup and Sandwich supper. Program will be Ray and Nancy Hemmer with Music and Testimonies. Please RSVP by October 13, 2007 to Helen Purdy 474-2454 or 563-920-8171 or Helen Purdy 401 E. Street Brandon, IA 52210. We are looking forward to seeing all our Christian friends.

Also for the next UMW unit meeting on October 4th, please meet with God in prayer every day at 7 am or 9 am as we focus on the lesson “Fear Not, Pray Earnestly” Time for Soul Searching. With new beginnings happening in the life of our church, being in prayer is of the essence now.

BOOK CLUB READS The Penny by Joyce Meyer & Deborah Bedford

“Jenny Blake has a theory about life: big decisions often don't amount to much, but little decisions sometimes transform everything. Her theory proves true the summer she's 14, when she makes the decision to pick up a penny embedded in asphalt and consequently ends up stopping a robbery, getting a job, and meeting someone who changes her life forever--Miss Shaw. Together they form a friendship that dares both of them to confront secrets in their pasts--secrets that threaten to destroy them. Jenny helps Miss Shaw open up to the community around her, while Miss Shaw teaches Jenny to meet even life's most painful challenges with confidence and faith. This unexpected relationship transforms them both in ways neither could have anticipated, and the ripple effect that begins that summer goes on to bring new life to the people around them, revealing how God works in the smallest details--even in something as small as THE PENNY.”

Please join us on Thursday, October 18th @ 4:30 pm in Wesley room as we discuss this book.

October is Pastor Appreciation month. Please remember Rev. Bailey in your prayers. We hope you will take the opportunity this month to tell him or show him how much you appreciate all he does.

10-07-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit-Patience” Colossians 1:9-12 This product of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is one we often overlook. It is Patience. The Father in Heaven and the Son of God—Jesus show this as a part of their nature. So God wishes to produce it in our lives. This is patience with others, with ourselves, and with life in general. Not an easy fruit to bear!

10-14-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit-Kindness” 2 Peter 1:5-9 Is kindness a part of your life? Do you have sincere compassion and mercy on others? The Apostle Peter shares, in his writings, that without kindness we are blind and have forgotten what God has done for us. Be Kind to others!

10-21-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit-Goodness” Ephesians 5:8-11 Goodness is a fruit of God’s work in our life. It is equal to the term “righteousness”. But what does goodness mean? This fruit must often persevere in the face of a world around us that prefers immorality. This Sunday we will explore this “fruit” and how it is a product of the Light.

10-28-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit-Faithfulness” Joshua 24:14-15 For the prophet Joshua, speaking for God, faithfulness comes from a very basic choice that we make in our lives. Can we along with Joshua say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”? Faithfulness is a choice, given to us by the Holy Spirit, to serve God with all our heart, and soul, and mind - and against all odds.

CASTING PEARLS
with Special Guests CROSSED
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
7:00 PM
Independence High School Gym
Free Will Offering

Sponsored by Youth for Christ, area Churches & businesses

“Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13, NRSV

“Development cannot be done for people. It has to be done with then and by them.”

Crusade Scholar Jean-Michel Basquin, studying at South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, is eager to return home to Haiti. Equipped with a doctorate in rural sociology, his goal is “to help the Methodist Church of Haiti to shape a better future for the country.

“Lack of rural development,” he explained, “often results in overpopulated cities, higher crime rates and other social problems. A healthy society depends on the balance between rural and urban development as most natural resources, including land for food production, are in the rural areas.”

Reflecting on the Crusade Scholarship that enabled him to do graduate studies with little financial burden, he said, “I can’t be thankful enough. That scholarship is exactly what the church needs to fulfill its global mission. It empowers people so they can empower others.”

The former campus ministry director at SDSU added, “I grew up in the church. I believe in the role the church plays in improving people’s lives.” In helping people to achieve their potential, he noted, “Scholarships are more than important. My scholarship has sustained me substantially. I could not do without it.”

Because of caring United Methodists, Jean-Michel and other deserving students receive the opportunity for a quality education. The World Communion Sunday offering provides scholarships for U.S. (racial-and ethnic-minority) and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Please give generously on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of October. Your gift makes a world of difference! Thank you!

As you can tell it has been a very busy September. And October and November look about as busy. Thank all of you who have helped out and hopefully you will find it in your heart to continue to serve. It is wonderful that our Bishop noticed that we are indeed a family here at First Church and willing to help out in any way we can.

The RAGBRAI city committee did a very smart thing in purchasing an insurance policy in case we were rained out when the bikers came through. As you know we did get rain, so the non-profit vendors were the recipients of some of the policy. Non-profit groups received $850.00. Bill and I went to a gathering at Bill’s on Monday evening and received the check for the church. It will be divided between the trustee and mission committees. God is good!

Don’t forget to let me know which Wednesday After School Day you can work.

PRAY: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem Sunday, Oct. 7th around the world. The church is to pray and stand with the Jewish people as they are the heritage of all believers and will one day come to know Jesus as their Messiah. Pray for peace in the Middle East with the sons of Isaac and Ishmael being able to live together.

PRAY: For the First United Church to be a “light in the darkness” in our community and that we might be “light-bearers” for Jesus as we communicate with others. Let them see something in us that would make them “hungry” for the gospel. Help us Lord to be your witnesses where we live.

PRAY: For our ministry to the Independence area to be led and guided totally by the Holy Spirit. Pray for wisdom and revelation of His Spirit to reveal to staff and volunteers how to proclaim and declare the goodness of God in the land of the living! Pray we are yielded vessels, His hands, feet and mouth, in our world. Pray for guidance and direction. Help us, Lord, to follow You.

PRAY: Prayer partners and all interested will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 14th, to celebrate youth, to share and to pray. You are invited to come, fellowship and grow in the faith. Pray for all the young confirmation students, high school youth and teachers to have good health, strong faith, a desire to grow spiritually and love for one another.

May God’s goodness and mercy overtake you and bring you to your prayer closet often in October.

Love, Mary Ellen

October 2007 Jr. High Youth Schedule:

Wed., Oct. 17: Casting Pearls Youth Concert @ High School
Wed., Oct. 24: Harvest Dinner
Sun., Oct. 28: Trick or Treat for Canned Goods

October 2007 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

October 2007 Acolytes: Abby McGraw & Megan Lang
November 2007 Acolytes: Diana Hammer & Emily Barker

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