Please note that what is in blue type is new to this latest version of the Digital Dove. We hope this allows those of you who "skim" to catch the most recent updates.
Encountering the Resurrection
The disciples had experiences of the resurrected Christ. And those experiences, combined with all they had learned during his life, created the growth in faith that followed Jesus’ life.
We live in a world that makes concessions for a convenient faith; a faith more likely to be what we want than what we need. And that means that we often find ourselves thinking about faith like it’s a hoop to jump through or easily lost in the shuffle. Well, we need experiences of the resurrection! That LIVING faith can’t be easily brushed aside!
For the next few weeks we will be reading and studying the encounters the disciples had with the resurrected Christ immediately after Easter. Our hope is that we can learn more about the way Christ works and recognize our own experiences with the living God.
We just talked about the choice we have to allow Christ to change us or for us to change the experiences of Christ. This week we will read about Peter and the disciples who go fishing instead of sitting and waiting. You know, there can be some powerful experiences of God in our every day working lives. Yes, work can even be sanctifying.
Discipleship Pathway
We want to make disciples of Jesus Christ and transform the world. Here at Shueyville UMC, we believe God is calling us uniquely in this time and place to fulfill that mission with a vision; United by the Love of Christ. Yes, in this most divisive time we feel that unity is our calling and can show the world the transformative grace of Jesus Christ.
I am well aware that as you read that paragraph you might either feel convicted or roll your eyes. It might be that you tend to be divisive or that you don’t really think our church knows anything about unity. Well, hold on. We are talking about what God can do when we get out of the way and hand all our desires and “sure ofs” over to Christ.
What would speak to our world more strongly of the power of God than people who vote differently praying together; people who look differently serving alongside one another; people who are not supposed to have anything in common choosing to hold one another up in the hardest moments?!
We aren’t going to get to this point on our own, but we aren’t going to become united by just waiting. Take part in our discipleship pathway, how we think we build and strengthen followers of Jesus. Each month can you be active in the three categories?
Deeper Roots: Worship is vital.
Stronger Branches: You have to personally be growing in your knowledge of scripture and understanding of God’s grace.
Bountiful Fruit: Your faith should be put in to action in a tangible way.
You can find ways to engage in all these areas below.
Church Council Highlights
April 2021
The Council met in March with the following as main topics of discussion:
- The Finance Team shared goals for this year: Clarifying policies and procedures for funding special projects, and day-to-day procedures regarding deposits, expenditures, etc, and a plan to explain each of the funds that are in the budget to the Council.
- Plans continue to be refined for the Stay-Cation Mission trip, June 10-13.
- Pastor Brody is working on developing a Life Skills program. He is working in cooperation with people from St. Paul’s and Sharon Methodist churches in Cedar Rapids, and with Matthew 25.
- Holy Week plans included a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m., a Sunrise Service added to Easter Sunday regular services and a safe way to offer Communion on Easter Sunday.
- Work is now being resumed on the parsonage septic system. Other improvements to the church include new smoke detectors and several new doors.
- Children and youth remain active, with plans continuing to evolve for the July mission trip to Colorado Springs for the youth, the Easter Carnival and Vacation Bible School for children.
Remember, if you have any questions or comments for the Council or would like to see the minutes from previous meetings, please contact the church or any Council member.
AGC Seeking Board Members
We are seeking board members to represent the church in our preschool and childcare program. All God's Children has been a ministry of Shueyville United Methodist Church
for many years and brings families into our building every day. Our mission is to fulfill a
need in our community by providing quality education and childcare in a loving Christian environment. If that sounds like something you can get behind, we need your thoughtful presence on our board. We invite applications for anyone willing to share their gifts and talents with our program. A term is 3 years and ask that you attend a meeting once a month. To apply online click here.
Are you engaging in all three areas of your faith; deeper roots, stronger branches, and bountiful fruit? We believe that these areas are important in strengthening our faith in Christ and being a part of building the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Deeper Roots
Worship can look a variety of ways and all are wonderful when our hearts are engaged in praising the Lord.
- 8:00 a.m. Traditional Worship In-Person
- 8:45 a.m. Worship on Facebook Live
- 9:30 a.m. Blended Worship In-Person (Sunday School included)
- 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship In-Person
We require masks to be worn in the church at this time. If in-person worship isn’t right for you at this time, please continue to worship online. We value your presence in the body of Christ.
- 380 Kids and Exit X will be meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Stronger Branches
Part of growing in our faith is prayer. Please take a moment to pray for these people and situations, plus what is on your heart.
- Brenda Swanson family and friends. Brenda's mother Kay Feldman passed away, April 14. Her funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home
- Wanda Lou, whose cancer has returned. She is a friend of Marilyn Johnson
- Caretakers
- Community/National/World Leaders
- Jacob Vance
- Rowena Torrevillas, Lauren Seaman's mother. She has bounced back from her stroke but still needs more prayers
- Michael Broghammer, at Basic Training
- Deena Moyle as she recovers from eye surgery
- Bobbie Travis as she recovers from a fall
-
Jennifer Blair, recovering from cancer treatment
- Those with eating disorder
Scripture Text Groups! You can receive a text each morning with scripture and a reflection. Over 130 people connected to our church are doing this. Join us!
United Methodist Women
Shueyville UMW will meet Monday, May 3rd, 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the church. New officers is on the agenda. If you have any questions, contact Pat Coghlan.
Bountiful Fruit
Mission Staycation
You can call tghe church and get signed up or sign up Sunday at the Welcome
Center. June 1--12 we will be spendng the day serving in Cedar Rapids and then
eating and worshiping together in the evenings.
Sponsor a youth for the Mission Trip 2021
For $100, you can sponsor a youth and they will write you letters detailing their
experience and appreciation. Each youth needs three sponsors totaling $300 per
youth. This will get us close to the total we need. Call the church if you’d like to
sponsor a youth or for more information.
Trustees are looking for volunteers to mow grass this spring and summer.
We are all getting anxious to get out of the house to do things. If you are looking for
a way to support our church and be able to see immediately what you have accomplished, this is a way you can do that. Sign up to mow the church lawn for a week, a couple weeks, or whatever time you can provide to this need. Sign up sheets are in the church lobby.
Trustees can show you what to mow and how to run the mower. There are two riding
mowers available plus a push mower. Bring a friend or spouse and complete the job in half the time!
Contact a trustee if you have questions. We very much appreciate the help to keep our church grounds looking good.
Rick Less
Ways to Continue to Financially Support SUMC
We are so grateful for every way you give. It’s a blessing.
- You can drop your check by the church. If the office isn’t open, please use the outside secure mailbox. It is located near the front doors on the west side.
- You can request, fill out, and return an EFT form. We are more than happy to mail this to you. An electronic funds transfer allows you to give to the church each month on a consistent basis. You can change or stop it at any time.
-
You can also give on the website
- If you want to try the app, contact Pastor Brody and let’s see how well it works for you. Your feedback would be beneficial to see if this is something we commend for others.
Thank you for your continued support of the ministries of Shueyville UMC. Your gifts of your time, talents, and money are all instrumental in sharing God’s love in our community. Thank you.
How are you engaged in serving others and bearing the fruit of love in the world? We’d love to hear so please let us know!
