February 2023 Newsletter

Sunday School

9 AM

Sunday Worship

10 AM

Sunday Fellowship

11 AM

Worship services will continue to be live streamed on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You can either use the Facebook Link or the YouTube Link to see the live feed, or even worship a little later if you need to. Use the buttons below to choose which link fits your needs best. 

Worship Series

Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

- Joel 2:28 NRS

February 5

"Shaping Dreams"

1 Kings 3:5-15

February 12

"A Dream of Celebration"

Psalm 126

February 19

"Mountaintop Revelations"

Matthew 17:1-9

Come to me all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, I will give you rest.

— Matthew 11:28

The season of Lent has often been a time when we think about "giving something up”—a holdover from its penitential flavor in the medieval church. But what if we thought less about "giving up" and more about "making room?" In this Lent series, we will find out what it really costs to be so busy. Let us reconnect to an unhurried God.

The theme draws on the need for self-care in order to continue our work of caring for others. It addresses the growing intensity and frenetic pace of life. The series will invite folks to practices of making room, clearing out, slowing down, and prioritizing for the sake of holistic lives. “This holistic life involves living with the rhythms that allow us to thrive, finding a balance between work, play, rest and reflection. Jesus calls his followers to more than just unbridled consumption or production. Rather, the Scriptures see our lives and bodies as gifts that should be nurtured.”

February 22

Ash Wednesday: "Busy"

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February 26

Lent 1: "The Right Tempo"

Matthew 11:16-30

March 5

Lent 2: "Preparing a Table"

Psalm 23

March 12

Lent 3: "Tuning In"

Luke 10:38-42

March 19

Lent 4: "Living Light"

Luke 12:22-34

March 26

Lent 5: "A Time for Every Matter"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

April 2

Lent 6: "Give it a Rest"

Mark 2:21-28; Exodus 20:8

April 6 Maundy-Thursday

Holy Week: "Reconnecting to an Unhurried God"

John 13 Selections

Pastor Owen's Ponderings

We have had our first couple of weeks of our “What Dreams May Come”

series. I wanted to share the responses we are getting on our “clouds” with

you as we begin dreaming with each other in worship and as a church. So, after our first two weeks, here are the questions and responses (bolded responses

are more than one occurrence):

There is a lot of good stuff in there about the ways we have connected with

the community and God’s dream for the world as well as with each other.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to dream as God invites us into

the future. I look forward to it!

Shalom,

Pastor Owen

Big Sunday Mountaintop Revelations February 19, 2023

Has the cold kept you bundled in blankets at home? Has the snow hampered your desire to visit friends and family? Are you ready for some fun?

Mark February 19th on your calendars and explore the warmth of Ankeny Christian Church. The excitement begins at 10AM in the sanctuary with song and prayer, then you’ll journey through intergenerational learning, to a time of helping others, onto lunch, then a rousing session of bingo (with prizes), and conclude with reflection, communion, and prayer.

We’ll do all this in just three hours! There will be no Sunday School at 9 that morning. Pulled pork, buns, and macaroni and cheese will be provided! Please bring a salad or dessert to round out the lunch menu.

Be prepared to study, work, eat, play, worship, and catch-up with your church family!

To recap: This all happens on Sunday, February 19th , from 10AM to 1PM. Your responsibility is to bring a dessert or salad, your smiling faces, and your loving hearts.

Tone Chimes Rehearsals

We will rehearse the following Sundays, 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM

February 5th

February 19th

February 26th

NO REHEARSAL February 12th

2022 Contribution Statements - Tax Form

You will receive your 2022 Contribution Statement from Ankeny Christian Church (ankenyccdoc@gmail.com) on Sunday, January 29th by email, providing you have an email on file with us. Please note there will be an attachment to the email which contains the Contribution Statement. Paper copies will be mailed to those members for whom we do not have an email for.



If you have questions or need further assistance please contact Jackie Black at 641.521.2659 or blackgj@centurylink.net .

Thank you,

Jackie Black

ACC Treasurer

February Special Offering: Week of Compassion

Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and sustainable development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. For nearly 80 years, Week of Compassion has pursued its mission, working with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world, with a vision of a world where God’s people transform suffering into hope.

God’s mercies are new every morning. To many of us this is a simple reminder, perhaps even a glimmer of breath, new life, and hope. When unseasonable winter tornadoes struck western Kentucky, relief funds came immediately and volunteers would later follow, preparing for the long term recovery. Less than a year later, when torrential downpours brought devastating flooding to already hard-hit eastern Kentucky and Missouri, a special gift quickly arrived - from a church who had received tornado assistance and volunteers just months before. Whether in domestic disaster response in familiar communities, refugee response in the aftermath of wars, or ecumenical partnership that supports shelter, food, education, and livelihoods - Week of Compassion is witness to the truth that God’s mercies RISE UP ANEW each day. And yet we also know that for many people in the world, every morning still means struggle. Every morning still means worry. Every morning still means disease, fear, and lament that will not end. However, God’s favor is not exhausted, nor has God’s compassion failed. They rise up anew each morning, so great is God’s faithfulness. When we are exhausted, God never is. When we are fatigued, God’s compassion never fails. We know everything that has led us here. And because of that we hope. And we RISE UP ANEW each morning. We do because God does. So we

recommit to the work of hope—borne out of suffering, and uncertainty, it is hope just the same. God’s compassion has not failed. Week of Compassion is committed to that great faithfulness, too.

Spring Bible study will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 22 and last for 6 weeks. At this time, what we will be studying has not been decided. Watch for more information.

Please use the link below to fill out 2023 Time and Talent Form

Dear Church,

Remember sitting around the campfire at the CCC? Well, it’s time to update that magical space!



I’m working towards becoming an Eagle Scout and am in the process of completing my project. My project will replace the old benches, fire pit ring, and cross at the Camp and Conference Center in Newton Iowa. I’m currently gathering materials for this project and am asking for help from churches across the Region.

I have created a Gift Registry at the Ankeny Menards to help purchase all supplies needed. A variety of materials is needed and any little bit helps me out.

Can your church support this project and help me attain Eagle Scout? If so, please inform your congregation and collect funds for the “Campfire Eagle Project.” After funds are collected, one person from your church goes online and purchases the supplies. 

I have set aside a Saturday in March as a work day to assemble and deliver the finished benches to the CCC. So, any materials would be needed before February 25th.

How to buy materials from the Menards Gift Registry:

1.      Go to www.menards.com.

2.      In the upper right corner click on “gifting” and choose “gift registry.”

3.      In the Find section type “Maxwell Crees” in the boxes and my registry will show up as Maxwell Other.

4.      Click on the item you wish to purchase, enter the quantity, and add it to your cart. Please do not purchase more than the requested amount.

5.      Choose “pick up at store- customer picks”. 

6.      Once your purchase is complete you will receive an email from Menards with the “pickup ticket”. 

a.      You can take the pick-up ticket to the Ankeny Menards to pick up and then deliver to 930 W. Trace Dr., Polk City, Iowa. OR,

b.      Forward the pick-up ticket to me at turtwig528@gmail.com and I will pickup the items.

Any items remaining once the project is complete will be given to the Christian Camp and Conference Center. I appreciate all of your help and support of my project. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Max Crees - 515-322-1071

February Birthdays

2/2 Gary Black

2/4 Brian Jass

2/7 Thomas Cox

Jennifer Hauschildt

Tiffany Bainter

2/9 Cameron Porath

2/17 Dennis Peterson

Arnie Porath

2/20 Jonathan Rawson

February Anniversaries

2/11 Gary and Jackie Black

If you would like to continue (or begin) to contribute to the work of the church financially, you can mail in a check to 2506 SW 3rd Street Ankeny, Iowa 50023 or you can give online by clicking the link below.  There you can set up one time or recurring donations. 

Do you have a prayer request?

Send your request to Laura Dolley 

dolley0808@gmail.com

Current Office Staff:

Pastor Owen Cayton, Senior Minister

pastorocayton@gmail.com

Nathan Green, Music Director

nategreenaccdoc@gmail.com

Kasey Romano, Office Manager

ankenyccdoc@gmail.com

2023 Leadership

Officers:

• President: Eleke Ukpabi
• President Elect: Open
• Past President, Chair Personnel Committee: David Rawson
• Treasurer: Jackie Black
• Member at Large: Pat Warner
• Check Writer: John Lee
• Chair of PRC: Darin Leach
• PRC Members: Darin Leach, Randy Wehofer, Frank Prowant, Dorothy Mathis, Karen Fausch, and Mike St. Clair
• Nominating Committee: Rob Duffy, Lori Leach, Judy Krase

Current Committee Chairs:

• Christian Education: Cathy Helmke
• Stewardship & Finance: Open
• Property: Tom Murphy
• Worship: Open
• Social Life: Open
• Evangelism: Open
• Missions: Open
• Endowment: Dorothy Mathis

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please stay home and participate in worship online. The COVID task force would also like to encourage all of those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

Ankeny Christian Church

2506 SW 3rd Street

Ankeny, Iowa 50023

515-964-1083

ankenyccdoc@gmail.com