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News & Updates from Polk City United Methodist Church
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Notes from Pastor Melody
Friends,
The past week has been a whirlwind of news and social changes as the pandemic outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has begun to affect many here in the United States, including right here in Iowa. I have been in close contact with our church's leaders council and want you to know that we will be making changes to the way will continue to be the church in Polk City.
While we have made the decision to close the building and suspend all in-person gatherings of any size, I want to remind you that our love for God and one another are never cancelled. We will continue to find ways to practice our faith, to maintain our worship, and to care for one another and the least of these in our community.
We can practice uncommon love and social connection while maintaining physical distancing.
Here is our plan moving forward:
WORSHIP SERVICES will be offered digitally in the following ways:
- Livestream worship - Sundays at 10:30am on our Facebook Page (NOTE: you do NOT need a facebook account to view the livestream; simply click on the link above at 10:30am. Once our video begins, all you need is an internet connection to view the video in real time)
- Recorded worship - available by 5:00pm on Sundays on our church's website at www.polkcityumc.org/online-worship
GIVING - while we are not able to give our tithes and offerings in person, we urge you to continue to make your offerings to the work of God's kingdom through this congregation's ministries.
- Give online at www.polkcityumc.org/give (while you are there, you can also download an authorization for for electronic fund transfers directly from your bank)
- Give on your mobile device with the GivePlus app (get it on GooglePlay or download it on the Apple App store)
- Mail your checks to the church: 1421 W Broadway Street, Polk City, IA 50226 (Attn: Finance Secretary)
ADULT BIBLE STUDY will be offered through video- and tele-conferencing through Zoom. To sign-up,
email the leader:
- Daytime Group - Mondays at 10:00am (facilitated by Pastor Melody)
- Evening Group - Tuesdays at 6:00pm (facilitated by Thomas Webb)
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL will have a linked lesson and activity on our website each Sunday. Look for the Children's Corner on the
digital worship page of our website.
YOUTH GROUP for 6th-12th grades will use social media and zoom to stay connected and offer Wednesday night video- and tele-conference gatherings. Look for an email to come from
Lauren Wilken with more information.
PRAYER REQUESTS can be shared in a variety of ways:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DEVOTIONS - mid-week opportunity to hear a short devotion and see each other's faces through Zoom. Wednesdays at 7:15pm.
CARE GROUPS - your church leaders will each have a group of families and individuals that they will be calling weekly to make check-ins. This will enable us to make sure that everyone has what they need while they are observing physical distancing at home.
(If you are not currently part of our worshiping body and want to be part of a care group, please email us at
office@polkcityumc.org
)
If you need help with any of the digital platforms we will be using for worship, bible study and devotions, please email us at
office@polkcityumc.org and we will walk you through what to do.
We understand that these unprecedented times may cause a lot of fear and anxiety. Remember that Jesus said,
“’Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.’” John 14:27
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. So may God bless your coming days and weeks with the power and courage to show uncommon love and generosity even amidst isolation and fear. Find ways to stay connected, check our website for a growing list of ways to care for others generously, and send us your photos of those sacred #lifeframe moments of your life that you dare not miss. (Post on social media with the hashtags #lifeframe #polkcityumc)
Let us all be in prayer for one another, for those who are sick, for those who care them, and for the vast number of doctors, nurses, researchers, and others working to treat, end and prevent this disease.
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
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"Five Ways to Be the Church When Church is Cancelled"
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Seems like the notion of “cancel culture” just took on a whole new dimension. Of all the cancellations, perhaps the most unnerving of all is the decision to cancel church worship services. It’s sad. It’s painful. It goes against every impulse of church leaders who proclaim faith in a God who is bigger than human fear. But, painful as it is, cancelling is the responsible, compassionate thing to do. Here are some things to remember, and some ways to keep “being the Church,” even when you can’t be in the church building.
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PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC (author unknown):
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.
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DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN
"For many of us, the world seems pretty dark and hopeless right now. We are glued to our screens, hoping for good news, but more often than not we end up reading reports that fill us with anger, fear, or a sense of helplessness. Still, countless acts of goodness, kindness, and heroism are taking place all over as the world battles COVID-19. Of course, much of it is going on behind the closed doors of hospitals and homes, anonymous and unsung. But some of it is happening for all of the world to see. We’ve rounded up some of the good news as a reminder that, amid the darkness, people are still out there loving and caring for each other."
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COMET CUPBOARD TINY PANTRY
Our church's tiny free pantry (located at the entrance of the church drive) has been seeing a lot of use this week, as kids are on spring break. We also know that many in the retail and hospitality industry are finding themselves out of jobs. Please continue to help keep our free pantry stocked with non-perishable food and personal care items for those in need.
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DMARC FOOD PANTRY NETWORK
The Des Moines Area Religious Council
manages a Food Pantry Network consisting of 14 separate partnering
food pantry sites
, a
Mobile Food Pantry
, two food warehouses, and numerous community supporters.
Here's how they are responding during the health emergency:
- We are asking donors to donate funds online rather than donating in-kind items that require volunteer labor to process.
- We are suspending the Red Barrel program until further notice.
- We are partnering with Des Moines Public Schools and Food Bank of Iowa to provide grab and go food at schools during the closures.
- Find a schedule of food distribution at local schools.
From Linda Pennington, Co-Chair of our Missions Ministry:
The Douglas Woods Challenge will be held from April 1st to the 14th. There is a great need to help DMARC presently. Douglas Woods is a Retired Des Moines policeman that has dealt with hunger issues through his lifetime.
He has previously matched donations up to $20,000. Please consider donating during this time.
Thank you to everyone for helping those who hunger and are in need!
Any questions? please contact Linda Pennington penningtonl@q.com
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LIFESERVE BLOOD DONATION
LifeServe is in need to blood donations for local hospitals. They are taking many precautions to keep donors safe from exposure. If you would like to give blood as a response to the health emergency,
click here to make an appointment.
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SELF CARE IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS
Without a doubt, many of us are feeling anxious as we navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. The
Calm.com
meditation community has share some its tools for free so that you can take care of your minds and stay grounded.
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Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to responding to COVID-19. Caring for our mental health as individuals and as a community translates into a more effective pandemic response and fewer costs to humans and society as a whole.
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ENTER THE STORY
Lent Worship Series | March 1 - April 5
The events of Christ’s Passion, which take place during the last week of Jesus’ life, often don’t receive enough time in our worship and study. These stories are important to our faith journey and our identity as followers of Jesus. And yet we often move too quickly from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday with little time to take in the dramatic story of that last week.
Join us for worship during the six weeks of Lent, as we intentionally put a “frame” around the scenes of Jesus’ last week, and also frame our own lives in a way that will help us see what really matters. How might taking a closer look at the ancient story open us to deeper conviction for who it calls us to be?
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WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Each week during lent, we invite you to take photos, capturing artful “life moments” through the lens of your camera, and post them to our church Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/polkcityumc
) with the hashtags “
#lifeframe
” and “
#polkcityumc
.” The Divine Artist offers us such poignant beauty each day in our own stories, in the stories around us, in the heartbreak and pain and joy and awe of a simple moment turned significant. We can’t wait to see how you frame the sacred moments in your life that you dare not miss!
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LENTEN BIBLE STUDY:
Jesus’ final days were full of risk. Every move he made was filled with anticipation, danger, and the potential for great loss or great reward. Jesus risked his reputation when he entered Jerusalem in a victory parade. He risked his life when he dared to teach in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes, or anointed him with costly perfume. We take risks as we read and re-read these stories, finding new meanings and new challenges.
In the book
Entering the Passion of Jesus
, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the ethical and spiritual questions in the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story of Jesus. This Lenten study will challenge us to examine our consciences and find out how deepening our relationship with Jesus and the Bible can bring us into closer relationship with others and the world.
(NOTE: the book can be purchased from all major booksellers. Remember that if you are purchasing from Amazon, be sure to go to
smile.amazon.com
and search for “Polk City United Methodist Church” as your charitable organization, or use this link:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/42-1177412
)
There are two different opportunities to participate in this Bible Study with others through video- or tele-conferencing:
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Church Office:
515-984-6274
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Christine Perry
,
Administrative Assistant
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Lauren Wilken,
Director of Children's and Youth Ministry
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Melody Webb,
Pastor
In case of an emergency
– Pastor Melody is always on call in situations of unexpected hospitalizations, immediate family deaths or spiritual crises. Please call 314-630-0768 in such an event.
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What can a quarter do?
Think about the Family Fund
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Each quarter placed in the offering plate is added to the Family Fund account at the church. Pastor uses this fund for individuals who have an immediate financial need.Every quarter makes a difference to someone.
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Finance & eGiving
If you have any inquires about contributions please direct them to the finance committee email at:
Want to give electronically? We have an app for that! You can download the
GivePlus App on your mobile devices – just go to your App Store to download the app, then search “Polk City UMC.” You can designate one-time or recurring gifts!
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Sign Up for Ministry Newsletters
Want to receive the
Prayerful Breeze
,
Youth Ministry
updates, or updates from the
United Methodist Women
or
Men's Group
?
CLICK HERE
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Prayer Requests for the Prayerful Breeze:
Get something on the church calendar, bulletin or the Wind:
Send all information, including the name, date, time, and place and details of the event to
office@polkcityumc.org
.
Please have submissions for the Wind sent in
by noon on Monday
and for the
bulletin by noon on Wednesday.
Thank you!
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Follow us on
North Polk Comet Cupboard
facebook page to see info about our tiny free food pantry!
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Sunday Worship
8:30 am Classic Worship
9:30 am Sunday School (Sept - May)
10:30 am Contemporary Worship
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