Yes, it has been another week of excitement at the Hampton United Methodist Church.

Monday started with FLOCK (Faithful Ladies of Crocheting and Knitting.)  It is always nice to visit with the ladies and to see their latest projects.  Beautiful patterns and colors, I think everyone is impatiently awaiting spring.

On Tuesday the Mission Committee met.  They were presented with a brochure, put together by Mardell Van Kleeck, a very gifted lady, regarding the FLOCK group.  During the discussion a plan was put forth to ask other ministries of the church to put together information about their ministries, with Mardell’s willingness to mock up brochures for each group.  She will also work on a master brochure which will give an over veiw of the church and the ministries.  Once this part of the project is completed, the brochures will be grouped together in a coffee mug designed specifically for the church and be pasted out to guests and friends of the church as they visit.  Members and constituents of the church may also take mugs to give to friends in the community as an invitation to join us in ministry.  Once someone receives a mug, they will be known for having been “mugged by the HUMC.”  The idea of “mugging” came to me after attending an event at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City.  They do this all the time.  Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

On Wednesday, Mrs. Bossie Cow, returned to HUMC after spending some time in retirement at Mike and Carol Nolte’s farm near Hansel.

Here she is in a snap I found of her on the computer.  Bossie will help with fund raising efforts by the group traveling to Perryville, Arkansas this summer to work at the Heifer International Farm there.  It looks like we will have around 15 participants on this mission.  Conversation has also brought up thoughts of going west, whether to Western Iowa or Nebraska to assist with flood relief.  That is exciting.

Also this week the April Edition of The Tower went out.  In there you will find many events coming up that will require volunteer help.  The feedback has been very positive.  Here are some of the events, if you are interested in volunteering, please, let the office know

  • Tuesdays on the Town. HUMC and St Paul will be setting up a booth during the event in June to promote a Community VBS.

  • Painting: Soon we will begin painting scenes, backdrops, murals and props for VBS. This will be done in partnership with St. Paul Lutheran Church.

  • Franklin County Fair parade: Last year Sue received feedback that the float was missed in the parade. If there are volunteers to help with the assembly of the float, HUMC will be back in the parade with one this year.

  • Saturday at Franklin County Fair: In the past we have been asked to watch over the chapel at the fair.  We are responsible for ‘watching over’ the church in the Pleasant Hill village on Saturday during the fair.

I have run out of time for this week.  Look forward to posting again next week about the life at HUMC.

The Walk by Adam Hamilton – Lenten Study

Lenten Bible Study:

How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? Join Adam Hamilton this Lent and Easter in The Walk and discover five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God. In each chapter, Hamilton’s engaging teaching style will help you explore one of these practices-each of which is intended to be a part of our daily walk with Christ—its New Testament foundation, and its potential effect on our personal lives and our lives together as the church.

Thursdays during lent beginning February 27 @ 6:00 PM in the Wesley Room.  Pastor Lewis will lead the class.  Sign up to order books by February 12th.  The class will run through Lent.  Will discuss ‘snow dates’ at the first class and how we will handle them.  (Let the office know of your interest: 641-456-4238.)

/0 Comments/by

The Journey Continues

Our last night of Vacation Bible School, the Grand Finale’ will be at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary of St. Paul.  It has been a great week, “Wild About Jesus.”  As every year, there are new faces and old faces.  It has been a fun filled week.  As with any adventure, it comes to an end here in the churches of UMC and St. Paul, I do believe the children and the adults will be sharing the story of what was found here, Jesus.  “One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.     Matthew 19:14-15  The Message

And as this adventure ends, another begins.  Three days from now a group will be leaving for Perryville, Arkansas to spend a week on the Heifer International Ranch.  We will say ‘good-bye’ to Bossie and her sister, Bessie, who will be returning to greener pastures until they are needed to assist with fund raising again.  They did a great job!  I do believe, over all, the people of the UMC community enjoyed hosting them over the summer.

Time to look towards the fall and the changes in routine that comes with school beginnings and summer vacation endings.  I am so excited to share the beginning of a Bible Study series that will be held on Sunday evenings.  We will begin in the New Testement with the book of Matthew.

/0 Comments/by

Transition from Vacation to Reality

John Wesley’s Sermon, The Character of a Methodist

  1. One who has the love of God shed abroad in the heart.
  2. One who cannot but rejoice, having peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ
  3. One who has the hope of immorality
  4. One who prays without ceasing
  5. One who loves and does good to neighbors and friends, strangers and enemies
  6. One ho is pure in heart and shows mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, long suffering and forgiveness
  7. One who seeks to please God and keeps God’s commandments

I have always said “returning from vacation is a trip back to reality.”  I am blessed my reality is easy to return to these days.  There were times when I wanted to stay on vacation forever, but God calls me back, there is work to do.  I was reading a post yesterday that said “Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life.”  That is what it feels like here at HUMC.

  

This year I did not travel.  No beach fronts, no visits with friends here in the midwest, no exotic cities, no trip to the mountains.  Just me at home, doing what I wanted to do, spending time with grandchildren.  So, no, these are not vacation pictures.

Now, back to my reality and in reading over John Wesley’s list of characteristics, I find myself reflecting, as I continue to strive toward the life of perfection, life has become easier.  I know perfection in this life is not attainable, yet, with the Lord Jesus Christ at my side, I will strive.

Now I find myself on the eve of the Franklin County Fair Parade, The Franklin County Fair, coordinating volunteers for the Chapel in the Pioneer Village, Vacation Bible School, The Mission Trip to Heifer International.  I would say that HUMC is doing ministry out in the world, yes, we may spend Sunday morning inside the church, the rest of the time we are out doing ministry, being the hands and feet of Jesus.  HUMC does so much more and I am blessed to be a part of this ministry!

In his sermon, Wesley ends with these words:  “Is thy heart right; and my heart is with thine?  I ask no further question.  If it be, give me thy hand.”

I feel my transition back into my responsibilities here at @Hampton United Methodist Church was smooth because God has made it so.

***  Side note:

Now, if you know me, I am often asking, “Does this make sense?”  What is going on in my head doesn’t always transfer into thoughts on paper or the spoken word as I would want them to.  So, for today, these are my thoughts and I thank you for taking the time to read, and please let me know if this makes sense to you.

/0 Comments/by