FUMC will host the Northeast District Installation and District Conference on Sunday, September 16th from 2:30-5:30 p.m. We will have a worship service and install the district superintendent and field outreach minister. Anyone is welcome to attend the worship service, there will be a meeting following the service for pastors and lay leaders of Annual Conference. Clergy and lay members of Annual Conference are expected to attend.

The Senior Companion Program of Hawkeye Community College is looking for men and women age 60 and over to provide friendship and assistance to older adults to remain in their homes. Senior Companions receive a tax-free stipend, meal and mileage reimbursement, and paid days off. The stipend does not affect eligibility for Social Security or public assistance.

For more information on how you can help your neighbor or how to receive Senior Companion services, call 319-233-6726. Collect calls are accepted from outside the Waterloo calling area. Orientation training is scheduled in September for new volunteers. (We would be happy to visit with you or any of your church groups about our program.)

Welcome back to UMW on Thursday, September 6 at 12:30. We’ll have dessert served by Priscilla Circle and a program by Ann Gitsch.

Come and get caught up on summer news and find out who the officers are for next year.

The first district meeting, since the reorganization of districts, will be in New Hampton on September 13 from 9:00-3:00. We’d like to have at least 2 cars full. Please join us. Call Phyllis to register at 334-2843 if you’re not able to attend UMW.

We invite all children ages 3 years old through High School to join us for an exciting start to our Sunday School program. The treasure hunt begins in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, September 9th. Our opening will feature prayer, praise in song, and a show. Each class will then work together following their treasure maps through the church, while visitors are invited to stay and enjoy the fellowship in the Wesley room. Results of the treasure hunt will be displayed as part of the Fall Family Festival on September 30th.

09-02-07 “Making a Difference” Luke 13:6-9 Jesus shares a parable about the importance for a fig tree to bear fruit. Jesus talks about the necessity of bearing fruit from many perspectives throughout the Bible. He even shows the disciples this on one occasion by cursing a tree that did not bear fruit. His example and words show us the necessity of bearing fruit in our lives. Are you making a difference in the world around you for Jesus.

09-09-07 “Abiding in the Vine” John 15:1-4 We continue with a series about the importance of “bearing fruit”. This Sunday we will look at how that can happen. According to Jesus it is only by staying close to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. How do we “remain” or “abide” in the Vine?

09-16-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit – Love” Galatians 5:19-23 This Sunday we will look at the first “fruit” that is listed by St. Paul as the fruit of the Spirit - Love. Love is above all. Paul speaks more clearly in I Corinthians 13 as well. Let’s look at the importance of love.

09-23-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit – Joy ” John 16:19-24 Jesus is leaving His disciples to go to the Father. In doing so He leaves them with parting words. Yet over and over we hear the hope in Jesus that His disciples will be filled with joy as they live out the life of a Christian. Are you filled with joy?

09-30-07 “The Fruit of the Spirit – Peace”John 14:27-28; 16:33 Living in the life of the Holy Spirit produces in us another of the “fruits of the Spirit” which is peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. It is in our life lived with Him we experience true peace of mind and heart and then are able to live lives of peace with others.

During the month of September you have the opportunity to help in one of the areas of ministry in our church through a special offering. This offering will go to help with the Christian Education program of our church. The money given will assist the new and existing programs that we hope to be able to provide this year. The Christmas Program, the Early Out After School Kids Program, the video library, special youth and adult opportunities are just a few of some of the programs we need your special offering for. If you feel God’s leading please either designate your gift on Sunday morning “Christian Education” or put a gift in the special envelope given with this mailing. May God bless your giving!

Greetings: We had a wonderful trip out West. A lot of mountain driving (not my favorite thing) but the Ocean was great and Pam & Brett’s wedding was beautiful at Lake Tahoe. Of course as soon as we got back there was RAGBRAI to get ready for and I believe it went well. All of you who helped did a great job and thank you very much. We made $1,000.00 and it will be divided between trustees and missions. I hope all of you are gearing up for Fall because there are many activities to prepare for and dates to put on your calendars.

The Wednesday Early Out After School Kids program will start on Wednesday, September 12th from 1:15-4:00. This year we would like extra help with the snacks at serving time. So if you would just take one turn it would help us out a lot. These are the dates:

September: 12, 16
October : 10, 24
November: 14, 28
December: 12
January: 9, 23
February: 13, 27
March: 12, 26
April 9, 23
May 14

We also need as soon as possible, assorted empty boxes of jello and pudding, jewelry boxes, saltine cracker boxes, instant soup boxes, anything of these sizes. SHOE BOXES WILL NOT WORK. We will need these until May. You can drop them off in my office. Thank you.

More dates to Remember:

Sunday, September 9…
Rally Day & Teacher Dedication. Sunday School Starts.

Sunday, September 16…
Third graders receive their Bibles

Sunday, September 16...
Prayer partner names available

Sunday, September 30…
Fall Family Festival 10:30-1:00

The adult B.A.S.I.C. Sunday school class will continue to meet in room 104 and the men’s group is still meeting on the stage in fellowship hall. We are in the process of deciding on another study and will have more information later.

“As America rises to meet the challenge of World War II, the call for defense workers unites four women at Seneca Shipyards in Michigan:

Virginia longs to find a purpose beyond her role as a housewife; Helen’s lonely, single existence drives her to accept a demanding job despite her advancing years; Rosa is desperate to flee her in-laws’ rules; and Jean yearns to rise above her circumstances and attend college. As their lives intersect, this unlikely gathering of women will encourage, shape, and influence one another as they learn valuable lessons about themselves and about life, love, and faith.”

Come join us in Wesley room at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 20th as we discuss our next book by Lynn Austin, A Woman’s Place. Everyone is welcome, books are available in the church office to be checked out.

Pray: for the Sunday School program, adult classes starting and Youth Fellowships to have strong leaders, build faith and teach the gospel message to those involved. Pray for the lessons to be meaningful and useful in our Christian walk.

Pray: for our Fall Family Festival to be held with Mission Methodist Maidrites & Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 30th. We will also begin our Basket and Service Auction at that time for three weeks (Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and 14). Please be in prayer for the youth who will auction service to raise funds for a special trip they are planning (The Revolve Tour) and the basket proceeds go to Missions, especially to Larry Kies, Africa.

Pray: for our UMC staff and volunteers to not grow weary in well doing. Also pray for the technology to work well like computers, copy machine, etc. Pray for finances to come in to cover all the expenses of the church.

Pray: for the spiritual growth of our members / attendees, that we all have the desire to pray and read our Scriptures. Also, that we would be a witness wherever we go - work, neighborhood, school to show that it makes a difference in our lives that we are believers in Jesus Christ. Help us adjust our attitude when necessary and to live in peace with those around us.

Remember to be making your BASKET for the auction by Sept. 30th . Remember there is prayer time at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays in the prayer room. We have an email prayer request list, please let me know if you would like to be added: jmearles@indytel.com Remember to make School or Health Kits for the UMCOR Ingathering which need to be ready by Nov. 3rd.

The Education and Mission Teams invite you to attend:

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Sunday, September 30th

9:00 a.m. Church Worship Service
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Coffee Mission Basket & Service Auction
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Ice Cream Social in Fellowship Hall 319-334-3689

First United Methodist Church 313 2nd Street SE Independence

Festival games and activities will include:

Upcoming dates for September & October include:

Sat, Sept. 15: Adventureland
Wed, Sept. 26: See you at the pole (@ High School)
Wed, Oct. 17: Casting Pearls Youth Concert @ High School
Wed, Oct. 24: Harvest Dinner
Sun, Oct. 28: Trick or Treat for Canned Goods

September 2007 Sunday Helpers Schedule:

September 2007 Acolytes: Abby Lake & Paige Davis
October 2007 Acolytes: Abby McGraw & Megan Lang

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