January 2011 Oakland United Methodist Church Newsletter

1. OAKLAND UNITED METHODIST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
CHURCH U.S. POSTAGE PAID
200 North Main
PO Box 606 OAKLAND,
Oakland, IA 51560 IOWA
Phone: 712-482-5530
Parsonage ph. 712-482-5539 PERMIT NO. 5
E-mail: oaklandumc@frontiernet.net
www.oaklandiaumc.org
Address Service Requested «Mailing label»
«Address1» Vol. 19, No. 1 January 2011 A Newsletter to Inspire and Celebrate Oakland United Methodists
«Address2»
«City State» «Zip code»
"We invite all persons to be a part of our Community of Faith by participating in worship, education, fellowship and Christian service."
Disciple Express
January Calendar of Events
Sun, Jan. 2 9:00 a.m. Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship w/Communion
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. confirmation class
Wed. Jan 5 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Sun, Jan. 9 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones
confirmation class
Wed. Jan 12 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Sun, Jan. 16 9:00 a.m. Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones
confirmation class
Wed. Jan 19 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Thu. Jan 20 7:00 p.m. Administrative Council
Sun, Jan. 23 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones
confirmation class
Wed. Jan 26 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Sun, Jan. 30 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school w/Merlin Jones
confirmation class

2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disciple Express
purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In
Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . five years, will this matter?'
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 27. Always choose life.
lessons life taught me. It is the most requested 28. Forgive everyone for everything.
column I've ever written. 29. What other people think of you is none of your
business, so don't ask.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
the column once more: 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 33. Believe in miracles.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. of anything you did or didn't do.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. now.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to 37. Your children get only one childhood.
disagree. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting
alone. everywhere.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the need.
present. 42. The best is yet to come...
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea up.
what their journey is all about. 44. Yield.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
in it. *********
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But
don't worry; God never blinks. An Englishman who was a passenger in a taxi in
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. Dublin leaned over to ask the driver a question
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver
joyful. screamed, lost control of the cab, drove over
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you
the curb, and stopped just inches away from
stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But falling into a river.
the second one is up to you and no one else. The cabdriver, still trembling, apologized. I m
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
sorry, he said, but you scared the devil out of
don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the me. The Englishman, also trembling, apologized
fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. to the driver and said he didn t realize a mere
Today is special. tap on the shoulder could frighten the driver
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. so much.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear

3. Disciple Express Disciple Express
The Oakland United Methodist Church held a Chili
Feed and displayed Nativity Sets on Saturday,
November 27. The feed was well attended and PLEDGE CARDS
everyone enjoyed viewing the sets and casting their If you haven t completed your pledge card, please
votes. The winner of the door prize a ceramic Ilene Parkhill
do so as soon as possible and remember to fill in the
nativity set -- was Anita McMartin. There was a tie 11 Saint Lisa's Court information on the back and return them.
for Most Beautiful won by Lisa Rollins and Lucia
Kinnison. The honor of Favorite was shared by Stafford, VA 22556
Lisa Rollins and Sheryl Sindt. The Most Unique Phone 540-288-0207 COAT DRIVE
winner was Barb Schorsch.
Email KIParkhill@yahoo.com This year we are again collecting coats for the
This address is her daughter's address: Karlene Fernow needy. Please drop off your slightly used, clean
coats in the box in the entry of the church.
Ilene will be staying with her daughter while she is
taking chemo treatments.
Bernie and Norma Bolton s 50th anniversary
celebration including the minister that married them,
Rev. & Mrs. Raymond Lott.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

4. Disciple Express Disciple Express
YOUTH MATTERS through them as they head out into the world to Dear friends,
make a difference in Jesus name. (Jessica Miller
The junior and senior high youth groups will resume Kelley; Managing Editor, Circuit Rider) The key word is RETIREMENT!
meeting the first Wednesday in January at their usual
time. Junior High counselors are Sharon Jones and After the people in church sang Happy Birthday to me December 19, some kind soul asked
Rev. Textor. Jim Johnson is assisting them in VOLUNTE ER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY if I was 62. I couldn t help being flattered since it was actually the occasion for my 66th
teaching the youth to use the projection and sound
system. DISTRICT STATISTICIAN birthday! And it s that number, 66, which has been one of the deciding factors for me; it s
time for me to retire, not just from being pastor of the Oakland United Methodist Church but
Senior high counselors for January are ReAnn The Southwest District is looking for someone who also from serving as a pastor in our denomination.
Hildebrand and Barb Schorsch assisted by Merlin might be interested in volunteering to serve as the
Jones. Food coordinator for January through April is District Statistician. (Contact the church office for The Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference, Julius Trimble, has accepted my retirement
Lindsey Henderson. a brief description of what this position would decision. So our District Superintendent, Brian Milford, called for a meeting of our Staff/
entail). Pastor Parish Relations Committee this Tuesday evening (4th), so that I could announce my
The confirmation class will continue meeting with
Rev. Textor after worship in January and February. If interested, please contact the Southwest District retirement plans and the committee could begin considering what gifts a new pastor might
Be sure to thank these young people for their active Office at 712-243-8573, or by e-mail bring to this church.
participation in worship these past few months. And (Shirley.Lewis@iaumc.org).
plan to be on hand for their confirmation which is You ve been so supportive of me in the five years I ve been here. You ve prayed for me,
scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011. offered me words of praise and encouragement, given sound advice, subbed for me in the
pulpit when my voice gave way and most important of all, you surrounded me with love
and comfort and understanding both before and after my mother died.
A PERSONAL NOTE ADDRESSES
I greatly appreciate all your birthday and Christmas Jefferson, Bradley A number of good things have taken place since I arrived, but the most fun thing for me has
remembrances. Thanks for the cards and letters, TF 168 IN HHC been the privilege of working with your children. What stories I have to tell about baptisms,
Happy Birthday song , and the gifts quite a few food FOB GARDEX APO AE VBS, children s messages, and one-on-one private conversations (sometimes shared right in
certificates in the mix. I take it that my non cooking 09364 front of the whole church). And what could possibly be more rewarding than the countless
ability is well known! But most of all thank you for greetings, high fives, and hugs they have given me.
your prayers and your words of thanks, praise, and Jared Myers ET Comm.
encouragement. I wish each and every one of you USS Oklahoma City SSN 723
God s blessings in the year ahead. FPO AE 09581-2403 It s satisfying for me to be moving on at a time when things are going well for us. We paid
our apportionments in full in November and met our budget by mid December. We even
With LOVE & JOY Hackett, Matt (great nephew of Jessie Shiffer) have funds on hand for a good start in 2011. We were able to support a number of worthy
Rev. TEXtor A/1-168 IN causes through our mission giving. Most of our committees have been working hard and
COP 8 Herrera functioning well. Our officer list is the most complete we ve had during my time here. We
RETHINK CHURCH APO AE 09364 have a solid Sunday School and youth group program. Our projection system has been
installed and is being put to good use. We have six active young people in confirmation, etc.
Buildings provide a home base for countless ministries
of the church, not the least of which is a place to Sonja Husz
gather for corporate worship. The church itself, B Co 307th ESB, 212 SCR Now, even though I m in the process of retiring, I ll still be serving as your pastor through
however, will not be defined by the height of its FOB Apache the month of June. So don t write me off yet; because there s lots of good things that can
steeple but the reach of its compassion, not the APO AE 09383 still happen between now and then!
number of seats but the number of lives changed, not
the shape of the doors but the disciples that pass LOVE & JOY
Rev. Shirley TEXtor

5. Disciple Express Disciple Express
NURSERY KOINONIA (No more phone JANUARY BIRTHDAYS REMEMBER OUR SERVICE
VOLUNTEERS
call reminders)
1 Joel Hopping MEN AND WOMEN
2 Nancy Bartlett
January 2 Ashley Way Dane Nelsen, step-
SUNDAY SCHOOL 3 Emily Johnson grandson of Daryl &
3 Alec Haukoos
2 Cyndy Haines TEACHERS 4 Kristy Bane
Rita Henningsen; Matt
9 Lindsay Bentley Hackett, great nephew
5 Darlene Frizzell of Jessie Shiffer; Kristie
16 Carol Wilson 2nd Kristy Rieken 5 Jamie Ewalt Copenhaver, John &
5 Brent Applegate Mary Lou Copenhaver s
23 Lisa Pierson Sheila Applegate 6 Kolton Finnegan daughter; Alan Walker;
30 Norma Bolton 7 Doug Carley Kelly Holdaway; Josh
Robin Jefferson
7 Heather Pitt Harker; Jeremy Harker; Brad Jefferson, son of Dan
9th Leah Belle 7 Joel Sowers & Robin Jefferson; Jared Myers, son of Robert
8 Gerald Wilson Myers and Sid & Tami Skank; Tyler Williamson,
Lynelle Jeppesen 9 LaVinna Blanchard son of Michelle Swope; Jon Reed, son of Phil &
Pam Ehmke 9 Nolan Pierce
USHERS, 11 Mary Applegate
Denise Reed; Sonja Husz; Lucas Smith, Addie
Mae s grandson; Brian Thornton from Avoca;
16th Lisa Pierson 11 Cale Roller
GREETER S, 12 Evan Gleaves
Craig Bintz, grandson of Larry & Judie Danker
serving in Japan; Tyler Clark, Marvin & Carolyn
Barb Schorsch 13 Larry Danker
CANDLELIGHT ERS Pam Ehmke 13 Jason Haines
Clark s grandson serving in Alaska, Brad
Grosvenor, Cathey Grosvenor s son stateside, and
14 Brad Cleaveland
Jan 2 Doc & LaVinna Blanchard 23rd Lindsey Henderson other area service men and women.
15 Jessie Shiffer
Kyra Martens & Andrew Jones 15 Marv Thompson If you have a loved one in the service and wish to
Lisa Pierson
15 Dave Woodward have them listed on our prayer list,
Candle lighters: Grace Gleaves & Andrew Jones
Pam Ehmke 17 Phillip Hamilton please contact the church office.
17 Greg Bentley
Jan 9 Mark & Lynelle Jeppesen 30th Work on Valentine s gifts/ game day 18 Jesse Schwieso NURSING HOMES - Remember those in the
Grace Gleaves & Hayley Haines 19 Ryan Danker nursing homes with cards and visits.
Candle lighters: Hannah Hummel & Andrew Jones 20 Fred Henry Oakland Manor: Mary Applegate, Margaret Alff,
SR. HIGH YOUTH 21 Craig Hummel Dorothy Forristall, Pauline Hogzett
Jan 16 Skip & Ilene Applegate COUNSELORS 21 Jacob Schwarte Oakland Heights: Eileen Haines, Lucille Bentley
23 Rachel Allensworth Griswold Nursing Home: Merle Davis
Andrew & Sarah Jones January ReAnn Hildebrand & 23 Tonya Samson Primrose: Lois Allen
Barb Schorsch 23 Renee Samson
Candle lighters: Hannah Hummel & Kyra Martens Harlan: Dorothy Liddell
February Veva Larson & Cathey Grosvenor 25 Justine Cleaveland
27 Claire Palmer
Jan 23 Marty & Kristy Rieken 27 Zach McMahon]
Kyra Martens & Grace Gleaves 27 Brody Kinnison
28 Judie Danker
Candle lighters: Sarah Jones & Hayley Haines
28 Lindsay Bentley
30 Don Hildebrand
Jan 30 Larry & Judie Danker 31 Dick Cleaveland is January 20
Hannah Hummel & Andrew Jones
Candle lighters: Hayley Haines & Grace Gleaves
9:00 A.M.

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