March 2023
In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb. In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion.
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In like a lion, out like a lamb. In like a lamb, out like a lion.
It’s an old saying that refers to the weather in the month of March. It is also a saying that very appropriately fits the church season of Lent. Lent is the primary season of the Christian Church. It is the 40 days, not including Sundays, before Easter Sunday. It doesn’t include Sundays because every Sunday in the church is supposed to be Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is when we celebrate, remember, and remind each other that Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen, INDEED! Back to the lion/lamb stuff… Jesus’ life and ministry were very much like a lion in comparison to the religious leaders of the time. He was a rabbi, but one that gathered together a pride of disciples to hunt those that the church and government have neglected and oppressed. He would roar loudly against that false authority in so many different ways. So many strong and gentle ways. All the miracles, healings, teachings, parables, and way He and His pride had with those they encountered were LOUD AND FEROCIOUS to those in “power”. Those roars struck such fear into the status quo that scheming began on how they could bring silence and return to power. Little did they know that was the plan all along. When the time was perfectly right, Jesus revealed that he wasn’t a ferocious lion that was going to take over with violent revolution. He revealed His true purpose and became the thing that would turn the entire system on its head… a lamb. Not just any lamb, but the purest and most adored lamb, the one that is reserved as a sacrifice to God. In like a lion, out like a lamb. |
It didn’t stop there. If it did… well… everything would be different. He came back from the grave after that sacrifice. He came back to show us all that death and the fear it holds doesn’t exist. His resurrection was revealed fairly quietly and to a few very close friends. In like a lamb… wait… didn’t He just shoot up to heaven after he revealed Himself fully? Where is the lion in that?
Yes, Jesus did ascend into heaven, but that’s not the end either. The Holy Spirit that we were given upon His ascension did something pretty amazing. Through the Spirit, we are now the living body of Jesus. He didn’t vanish because He ascended. He gave us the means and call to become lions ourselves. He may have come in like a lamb, but we are going out like lions!! Hopefully. So many have gone so long without hearing a roar that they have forgotten lions altogether. Some think they have the lion trained to be used how they see fit or for their purposes. Others just don’t see any benefit to having lions in the world at all. When is the last time you roared? How did you roar? Did anyone react? How did it feel when you did? Don’t forget that old saying. Old sayings are usually old because they have some truth to them. We… you… the church… are the LIVING BODY of JESUS. Take that authority and gift for yourself. You are no longer anyone’s sacrificial lamb. You are gifted and called to be a lion and ROAR LOUDLY in your way that only you can. There are some simple ways and a safe place where you can start. I’ll let you guess where. In like a lion, out like a lamb. In like a lamb, out like a lion. Blessings! Thom |
FREE LUNCH/DIAPERS/GROCERIES
On February 21, the Quad offered a free lunch, free diapers, and free groceries to the community. A meal of soup, cheese, crackers, and cake was served. Those attending selected groceries, received free diapers, ate lunch, and enjoyed a time of fellowship. The event was well received. Two more lunches are scheduled at this time. Join us at the Quad on Tuesday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 28, from 10:30-1:30 pm for lunch and a time of fellowship. CARING CREATIONS In 2022, Caring Creations crocheted/knitted forty scarves for the residents of the Veterans Home in Marshalltown. This is the third year that scarves have been donated to the Home. Members continue to crochet/knit scarves for the coming fall. Ten crocheted plastic mats were delivered to Bidwell-Riverside Center in Des Moines. The mats will be distributed to the homeless in the Des Moines area. The next meeting of Caring Creations will be held at The Quad on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 9:00-10:30 am. All are welcome to join the group. PLASTIC BAGS NEEDED
Caring Creations decided to continue making mats from crocheted plastic bags. A container will be in the entry of the church to collect donated plastic bags during the month of March. It takes between 700-800 bags to complete one mat. Thank you for your donations. JAIL MINISTRY Word search, puzzle books and westerns are still being requested by the Davis County Law Center. Devotionals are also an important item for the prisoners to receive. If you are donating devotionals, be sure that the pages are not secured with staples. Incarcerated individuals cannot have access to materials with staples. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry. LOOK TO THE STARS FOUNDATION The DUMC mission offering will be given to Look to the Stars Foundation for Davis County in March 2023. Look to the Stars raises money for local Davis County cancer patients. The Foundation helped 22 Davis County families in 2022. They hold an auction in October every year and they have also held other fund raisers in the past. Thanks, Susan Warner Missions committee member BLOOMFIELD UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH 2022 SUMMARY
The United Methodist Women experienced a name change as the result of a national initiative to energize the organization and become more inclusive. The organization is now called the United Women in Faith (UWF). While the name changed, the mission of the organization to “support women, infants and children” has not. The Bloomfield United Women in Faith are an active group of women who contributes to missions locally, nationally, and internationally. During 2022, the UWF volunteered in a variety of mission activities which included: 1) Working at the food pantry at Bidwell-Riverside in Des Moines; 2) Assembling hygiene and layette kits at Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Pawnee, IL; 3) Assisting Rainbow and Friends with making cookie jars for Christmas; 4) Obtaining material and sewing school bags for the Ingathering; 5) Writing and receiving a $1000 grant to purchase diapers and infant supplies to be distributed in Davis County; 6) Supporting the Jail Ministry; 7) Sponsoring the May Birthday Party at the Bloomfield Care Center; 8) Purchasing graduation gifts for seniors; and 9) Donating ham balls for the Lord’s Harvest Auction. Caring Creations, a sub-committee of UWF, crocheted and donated mats for the homeless to Blessing Soup Kitchen and Bidwell-Riverside, gave crocheted and knitted hats and blankets to Blank Children’s Hospital, and donated knitted and crocheted scarves to the Marshalltown Veterans Home. In addition to pledges paid by Bloomfield UWF members, fundraising projects included the sale of ham balls at Easter and Thanksgiving, the Spring and Fall Rummage Sales, and the preparation of a meal for the Neihart Tour and Travel Company. Members of UWF also participated in the Golden Valley District meetings. In April, the ladies attended the Mission Day Apart in Burlington, IA, and Golden Valley District Annual meeting in Letts, IA. These meetings focus on education, fellowship, and worship. The Special Recognition pin was given to Susie Gonzales for her work in the church and faithful delivery of Meals on Wheels for the church every Saturday. Her generous and kind spirit is a blessing to our congregation. During 2022, the Bloomfield UWF donated $3,466.90 to the following missions: Emmanuel and Florence Mefor (Missionaries in Zimbabwe), Hawthorn Hill, Ukraine, Midwest Mission Distribution Center, Diaper ministry, in gathering health kits, Lord’s Cupboard, “I Care”, UMCOR, Zimbabwe Hospital, City of Bloomfield (help with utility bills), and chickens for Honduras. This mission giving would not have been possible without the congregational support of our fundraising activities. Thank you! |
DRAKESVILLE MISSION OFFERING
The special mission offering for Drakeville United Methodist Church for March is for REBOOT Recovery. This is the "Pringle Can" offering we used to do on 4th Sunday of the month. The first Sunday is Blessing Box, third Sunday is The Lord's Cupboard. REBOOT Recovery is a 12-week program for persons living in aftermath of trauma, whether it's from domestic abuse, military deployment, or witnessing multiple crashes, accidents and other experiences as First Responders. It is a Faith-based healing program that includes families of loved ones thru all walks of life. No one is immune from trauma, it can and does happen to everyone and dealing with it is part of the healing. We have a local contact in Davis County, Kim McCoy, if someone is in need of this program or wants to help in joining as a leader, please contact her at 641-799-6472. As Mission committee of DUMC, we try to locate and support missions that involve helping people, whatever their problem. That’s what we're called to do when Jesus said, "Love one another, as I have loved you." If God puts it on your heart to give, please answer that call. Thank you. DRAKESVILLE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
The Drakesville United Women in Faith met on February 8th with 13 members and 1 guest. The lesson was given by MaryJo Johnson on Prayer and Self-Denial focusing on Racial Justice. The Bible verse was read in unison from 1 Corinthians 15:44, "It is sown a physical body, it is raised as a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body." Plans were made for Care Packages to be sent/given in March at next meeting; 4 college students and 2 others. As a mission outreach, it was discussed and decided to give a St. Patrick Day/ Birthday party for residents at Davis Acres. Bingo prizes will be given as well as cake and all the goodies. A committee was formed to decide and order items to put in a Welcome packet to give To new people attending church first time. Blood Drive had a very good response with 44 donors,A double red cell, and 1 plasma with 3 new donors and several walk-ins. Next meeting will be March 8th, 2023, 9AM with Linda Perry as hostess and lesson leader. All women are invited to join us in the Lord's service. SMALL GROUPS
The winter small groups have begun, but it’s not too late to join one. We’d love to have you! In case you missed the handout in church, here is a brief summary of the what-and-where of our small group schedule: Sunday
Location: Multi-Purpose Room at Church Leaders: Diane Park and Rhonda Eakins
Location: The Quad Leader: Tammy Roberts Monday
Location: Fellowship Hall
Location: Chapel Wednesday
Location: The Quad Leader: Pastor Thom Friday
Location: Fellowship Hall Leader: Rhonda Eakins Saturday
Location: The Quad Leaders: Tracy and Darwin Emmons We hope you can join us for one or more of these opportunities for fellowship and growth. CALENDAR To view our full calendar, please visit our website at: http://www.bloomfieldmethodistchurch.org |
DESTINATION PANAMA
As many know I, Linda Rowe, went right from Honduras to Panama on another mission trip. This one was a little different for me in that I was the team leader. I have gone on many missions with groups led by Clayton and Beverly Nolte but not as the team leader. There is a lot more work for the preparation and a little more work while there. This group was already assembled before Beverly had a stroke. I knew most of them and knew they were a good and experienced group so it wouldn't be too hard and I was right. The biggest change was handling the team's money when we bought meals, supplies, and took care of lodging, etc. You can read the whole story in the Bloomfield Democrat where Karen did a nice article. The mission itself was at a Methodist Community Center in Cienaguita, a long drive up in the country from Panama City where we arrived. It is a mission to the indigenous group called the Ngobe (no-be) people. They come there for water, church, dental clinics, vaccinations, and more. |
Our main job was painting and boy did we paint. All of the exterior of the large building and three or four interior rooms plus the fence out front, the well house, and even the outhouse. All trim around the windows, the doors, etc. got painted. Several local boys joined us in painting and also enjoyed playing "Uno" and trying to learn a little English (and us Spanish). Then we got to take a walk to the village where they lived and meet their families and see how they live. Before we left they came and did a cultural dance for us. We got to attend two church services in Panama and also visit a local fair in a small town up in the mountains.
After a full week of work we got to go and enjoy a little R and R at a beach and of course the main attraction we got to go see the Panama Canal and a big cruise ship going through the locks. As mission trips are to be a blessing to those we go to serve this was but we who go receive a big blessing in another way. Everyone who is able should go on a mission and put your "Christian Love in Action". Thanks to everyone who supports us in prayer and financially. See the full story in the local paper of Feb. 22. - Linda Rowe |
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