Oh Happy Day!
It’s early morning and I am awakened by the sound of my three year old’s door opening and the pitter-patter of his little feet bumbling through the hall and into my room. I open my eyes to see Tyler’s sweet little face staring at me, his favorite blanket and stuffed monkey in his arms, the lines from his pillow creased into his cheek from a good night’s sleep. “It’s a happy day, Daddy,” he says as he reaches up and pulls back my covers signaling that he wants me to get up. We head down the hall and into the living room where he tells me that he wants to cuddle and have some chocolate milk. After making his favorite morning drink I sit down, wrap him in his blanket, and hold him on my lap as we watch his favorite show and he tells me all that he wants to do on this “happy day.” You see it’s been a very long cold winter for this little boy who has been trapped in his house for too many days to count, and he knows spring is finally here. He wants to run, play, ride his new bike, spend time with his puppy and kitty, mow the grass, be chased, and show his baby brother how much fun the outside world can be. Tyler is a child that never stops, rarely gets tired, and doesn’t want to slow down. He wants to experience everything that he doesn’t know about yet and be taken where he has never gone before. Tyler wants to live life, not just watch it through the window or through the television. He wants to take every “happy day” he gets and fill it as full as possible, squeezing every drop of energy out of his little body in order to do all the things that he wasn’t able to do during the winter and what he might not get to do tomorrow. He wants to live his day to the absolute fullest and then wake up the next morning and do it again. Tyler’s example is one we all need to keep in mind as we go about our lives. Are we planning so far into the future that we don’t see today? Are we cherishing our loved ones every day and not taking for granted that they may not be here tomorrow? James 4: 13-15 say’s “Now, listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” These verses remind us that we need to focus on what we can do today, not what we can put off until tomorrow for every day belongs to the Lord. My prayer is that you decide to live and love every day to its fullest. Pastor Nathan
Crocodile Dock VBS Where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light
This Dock Rocks! *Wild Games *Amazing Crafts *Lip-smacking Snacks *Mind-blowing Bible Adventures *Incredible Music, *New Friends *God Sightings
Highlight May 31-June 4 on your calendar as we transform our church into a Bayou! We’ll begin with a free picnic for the whole family @ 5:00 on Sunday, May 31st followed by our first night of fun from 6:00-8:35. Monday -Thursday kids from age 3 through grade 6 will gather from 6:15-8:35 p.m. and have a closing review for family and friends on Friday, June 5th @ 7:00.
It's our goal to help at least 50 kids grow in their relationship with God. We need everyone’s prayers and involvement! Pick up an invitation from the entryway to share with someone in your neighborhood. We all need to be God’s hands and feet to bring His light to our community. Together we’ll have a Blast in the Bayou!
Coming This Fall! A Weekly Wednesday Evening Church Program for all Ages! Details are being worked out - watch for announcements.
-Remember when health foods were the foods that your mother told you to eat, or else?
-How did mothers ever learn all the things they warn their daughters not to do?
-Motherhood is a partnership with God.
MIREMBE CONNECTING THROUGH CURRICULUM June 19-20, 2009
Family Retreat Sponsored by IAYM Christian Ed. Come learn how you can participate in children’s curriculum for Friends Churches in the U.S. and Friends Schools in Kenya and Belize AND Learn about successful midweek children’s programs in IAYM.
Friday, June 19th 6:30 bonfire/cookout 7:30 Session I Saturday, June 20th 8:00 breakfast 9:00 devotions 9:20-3:30 Session II
The retreat will be held at Marshalltown Friends Church. $15 per family if registered by June 5th, $25 per family after June 5th - includes meals. Free camping available, showers, but no electricity. For reservations contact Charlotte Stangeland at 641-676-1532 or kindra@mahaska.org
The Great “I AM” As Christians, we need to remember that God is not known as the great I Was but as the great I AM, see Exodus 3:14. The practical meaning of this truth is that we should not live in the past with its regrets and mistakes. Rather, we should emphasize the present with its opportunities and challenges. As the great I AM, God calls us to claim the promise of each new day and to live it fully for Him.
Children’s ChurchChildren age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate on May 17th, when our lesson will be about Deborah and the service project will be to show appreciation to the Quaker Heights Camp staff.
Minor Prophets Bible StudyWhat can we learn from the Minor Prophets? The book of Obadiah warns believers about the dangerous sin of pride. From Jonah we learn God’s love is expansive, not exclusive. The book of Micah announces the coming Deliverer despite impending doom. Join the discussion 7:00 each Monday night in the fellowship hall.
Liberty USFW Colleen Welch will host the May meeting of Liberty USFW on Wednesday evening, May 13th at 7 p.m.
Bangor USFWWe will join with other area USFW’s to hear Ethel Watson share about the new Reading Course books at 1:30 p.m., on Wed., May 13th at the Embers. Ann and Peggy will provide refreshments. A short business meeting will follow. All ladies interested in good literature are welcome.
Family Night originally scheduled for May 17th has been postponed so as not to conflict with graduations and receptions. A new date in June will be announced.
2009 Young Friends Camps at Camp Quaker Heights Little Fry Camp June 5 - 7th Fox Camp June 7 - 11th HS Weekender June 12 - 14th Junior High Camp June 14 - 19th High School Camp June 21 - 26th JH Weekender June 26 - 28th Fry Camp June 28 - July 1st Completed camp registrations should be given to Scott Davis, church treasurer by Sunday, May 17.
Discipline Revision The church has received one copy of the Discipline Revision if you would like to look at it. A copy of the revision is available online at www.iaym.org.
Change in Dates June Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, May 27th so as not to conflict with VBS.
July Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, June 24th for all Iowa Yearly Meeting reports to be approved.
Hats Off to Our Graduates! *Congratulations to Megan Davis, daughter of Chris Davis and Donny Davis, who graduates May 17th from West Marshall High School. An Open House was held for Megan on May 3rd. She plans to attend Ellsworth Community College in the fall and major in Nursing, then move on to the University of Iowa to get her RN and Nurse Practitioner Degree.
*We also congratulate Kelsey Feltz, Andi Albright and Ty Morgan who graduate on May 24th from BCLUW High School.
Kelsey Feltz, daughter of Joe and Kay Feltz, invites the church family to her Open House on Sunday, May 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the South Hardin Recreation Area in Union. Kelsey plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall to major in Dietetics.
Andi Albright, granddaughter of Tim and Kristy Albright, invites the church family to her graduation reception at the Beaman Memorial Hall after graduation on May 24th. Andi plans to attend Central College in Pella and is planning on General Studies at this time. She is leaning toward teaching English.
Ty Morgan, son of Jodi & Randy Simons and Dave Morgan, invites the church family to his Reception at Brekke Park on Sunday, May 24th from 5-7 p.m. Ty will be going to Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and then transferring to Iowa State, looking to be involved with the Department of Natural Resources. eventually.
*Congratulations to our college graduates as well! -Amy Bachman with an Associate of Arts Degree from Marshalltown Community College. -Jeanette Klein with a Medical Administrative Assistant Degree from Des Moines Area Community College. -Britni Johnson with a Master’s Degree in Effective Teaching and Learning from Drake University.
“All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the ladder.”
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th As Memorial Day is being celebrated throughout the nation later in May, let us give thanks as we remember the men and women who gave their lives in battle, but most of all let us praise God for the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His all for our eternal salvation! Missions"Lost people matter to God, and so they must matter to us." -- Keith Wright
"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." -- Amy Carmichael, missionary to India
Blessed Is the Mother …who can hold onto her children while letting them go Who puts a tranquil home ahead of an immaculate house Who knows a kind act will be remembered longer than an easy word Who really believes that prayer changes things Whose faith in the future sweetens the present Whose Bible never needs dusting Whose sense of humor is alive and well.
Library Ledge: Spotlight on WomenDuring May our library will spotlight the large selection of materials for and about women. Here’s just a sample. Friendships of Women will make you laugh and cry as it takes a close look at the power and pain in female relationships. You will grow as she opens God’s Word to reveal a pattern for Godly friendships. In Sometimes I Feel Like Running Away from Home you’ll learn a woman’s gift and often her burden is the ability to juggle. You’ll read how God can help order your priorities. I’m Trying to Sit at His Feet, but Who’s Going to Cook? will help you with the daily pressures of life that pull us away from God. Don’t miss the audios such as Just Hand over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt! Honor and celebrate the female spirit by checking out the library ledge.
House of Compassion Report 42 guests enjoyed a meal of ramen casserole, garlic biscuits, spinach, peas, mixed fruit, brownies, pumpkin bars, apple crisp with whipped topping, milk and coffee. Our casserole was a combination of 6 lbs of venison, 2 lbs. sausage and 1 lb. ground beef cooked with gumbo soup, chopped tomatoes, water and seasoning packets. Many came to the kitchen and shared their appreciation. Thanks to our 25 great volunteers who donated funds and helped at HOC. Our next meal is May 28.
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