The Evangel–April 2024
FROM THE PASTOR
Hello everyone, we are so thankful for everything God is doing and will still do in our lives. I am praising God that when things get tough He shows up in mighty ways! God has this incredible way of letting you know His timing is perfect. I am always looking for signs of Christ and I see them daily. So what about you? Do you see Christ working each day? And if so, do you thank Him for it as often a possible?
I like to think of being thankful, like being a parent. I don’t ever remember truly thanking my parents for all they did for me as a kid. Can you imagine? They cooked, cleaned, and settled many arguments (sister rarely get things right). They drove me from here to there, and even spent time with me doing the things they probably did not enjoy. And yet the closer I get in age and relationship to them I begin to see so much of what they did and were for me. Jesus’ love for us continues and we will probably never fully understand it (till Heaven). But, what a blessing that we can start to see how great He is when we try. And we can be thankful!
(1 Thessalonians 5:18). When we find ourselves overwhelmed with burdens and worried about tomorrow, we can praise God for who he is and his promise to never leave us or forsake us.
In Christ
Jason Collier
PASTOR VISITS AND PRAYER LIST
Please let us know if you would like Pastor Jason to call on you or if you need to be on our prayer list. You may call Pastor Jason’s cell 563-343-3390 at any time; church answering machine: 319-657-3020 or Teri’s cell 319-461-6608.
ACC FOOD PANTRY
The Ainsworth Community Church Food Pantry continues to serve families in need. If you know someone in need of food, contact Brenda at
319-461-1637 or Kathi at 319-461-1339 to make arrangements or receive answers to eligibility questions.
Narrative Lectionary Scripture, April 2024
| Apr 7 | You Shall Be My Witness Second Sunday of Easter | Acts 1:1-14; (Mark 6:7-13) “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” |
| Apr 14 | Peter Heals in Jerusalem Third Sunday of Easter | Acts 3:1-10; (Mark 6:53-56) Healing at the Beautiful Gate; “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you, in the name of Jesus rise and walk.” |
| Apr 21 | Church at Thessalonica Fourth Sunday of Easter | Acts 17:1-9; (Mark 13:9-11) Founding church at Thessalonica 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Paul’s message of thanks to the church at Thessalonica. |
| Apr 28 | Church at Corinth Fifth Sunday of Easter | Acts 18:1-4; (Mark 9:34-35) Founding the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Factions in the church and the word of the cross. |
APRIL BIRTHDAYS/*ANNIVERSARIES:
4) Amy Runge; 5) Dorothy Stout, Derek Stewart; Laurie Morrison; 6) *Larry & Kathy Bean; 8) Maggie Rees Altenhofen; Deb Chalupa; 10) Carson Bean, 11) Megan Edgar, Jacob Hartzler; 13) *Rich & Lois Riggan; 15) Jim Wilson; 16) Allison Barnes; 18) Gracyn Anderson, Dave Skubal; 20) Rachel Carstensen; *Dan & Stacy Klinzman; 21) Kate Hartzler; 23) Linda Wenger; 24) Myron Lacy; 25) Marissa Chalupa; *Eric & Deb Stewart; 26) Josh Sands; 30) Pat Jenkins, Joe Skubal
CROOKED CREED CHRISTIAN CAMP
Summer Camp registration opening on March 4! Visit our website now to see summer camp dates https://www.crookedcreekcamp.org/
Join us on March 19 at Shepherd’s Inn for Lenten Quiet Day featuring devotions connecting the poetry of Mary Oliver and our Lenten journey. A soup lunch will also be provided. Register here: https://www.crookedcreekcamp.org/lenten-quiet-day.html
Join us May 4 for CC Wild Mud Run and Walk, our annual fundraiser to benefit our Summer Camp Fund. Don’t want to run? New this year, we will be adding a walk for those who want to experience nature without the mud and obstacles. A free will donation lunch will take place at 11:30. For more information and to register visit our website: https://www.crookedcreekcamp.org/ccw.html
Help give our summer camp cooks a head start by participating in one of our Summer Camp Prep Days. Join us May 11, 13, and 14 from 8:30-12:00 to make cookies, chop vegetables, and cook ground beef. Sign up here: https://www.crookedcreekcamp.org/summer-food-prep-days.html
BUDGET REPORT – 3/112024
| Income | $13,208.85 | Expenses | $4,811.51 |
| General Fund | $51,054.87 | Building Fund | $14,264.15 |
| Memorial Fund | $43,245.46 | Need/month for budget | $8,237.63 |
CRAWFORDSVILLE FUND RAISERS: Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 30 the Crawfordsville Firemen will host a pancake breakfast at the Crawfordsville Fire Station. Breakfast will be served from 6AM to 9AM. Dine-in or takeout. Free will offering. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30AM sponsored by the Crawfordsville Community Club at the Crawfordsville Ball Park behind the Waco Elementary School.
UCC Spring Rummage Sale will be held on Thursday, 4/25 from 8AM-6PM; Friday, 4/26 from 8AM-6PM; and Saturday, 4/27 from 8AM-12PM
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Joys: We are grateful for the gift of our Savior. Concerns: Please continue to pray for Chris and Molly Hartzler, and their families, as well as Frances Wilmoth and family. Keep Linda and Jim Wenger, Emily Wenger Crile and the Wenger/Crile families in your prayers. And keep Jan Temple in your prayers as she recovers from surgery. Pray for those dealing with difficult family situations, and for the leaders of our church, schools, and country. Serving Our Country: We say “Thank You!” to members and their families serving our country.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 21
Youth who have been active in the church by being involved in Kids’ Club, youth group, puppet ministry, and other church activities are eligible to apply for the Colthurst Scholarship. Write a letter (there is not a form) sharing an overview of your church, school, community, and family activities and responsibilities plus your future plans. Submit the letter by Sunday, April 21. Either mail to: Ainsworth Community Church, PO Box 40, Ainsworth, IA 52201; OR email to AinsworthChurch@gmail.com Recipients will be announced May 5 during Senior Sunday.
SENIOR SUNDAY – MAY 5
Mark your calendar for May 5! We will honor high school graduates. Recipient/s of the Colthurst Scholarship will be announced. High school honorees will receive a gift from the church as they begin their life “after high school”.
ACCW MEETINGS RESUME – APRIL 11, MAY 9
The first meeting in 2024 for ACCW will be held on Thursday, April 11 at 1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Wynne Steele will serve as hostess and present the program. ACCW is open to ALL women of the Ainsworth Community Church family. The May meeting will be on May 9th at the Fellowship Hall with Linda McNeil presenting the program and serving as hostess.
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the March meeting: Treasurer’s Report: Colleen Bean reported that income was up in February due to end of year tithing. Also, WordPress fee was an extra expense, as this is renewed once a year. It was also reported that the Parsonage rent is on track. Committee Reports: Worship: Nothing to report. Christian Education: Kids Club ended the most recent session on 3/6/24. Membership/Nurture: Nothing to report. Property: Nothing to report. Mission: Kathi reported she didn’t have anything for the month, but would report for both February and March at the next meeting in April. Nominating Committee: Nothing to report.
New Business: Karbi has been called to come and look at the gutter on the south side of the south building. It was come loose and needs to be replaced. Jan has submitted the 2023 Presbytery reports for ACC to the Presbytery of East Iowa. 4M Plumbing and Heating has been hired to fix the furnace in the north building. Eli Cavin has been hired to mow the church yards. It was approved to pay him $60.00 per mow with him using his mower and gas. Jason purchased a cordless trimmer for him to use. The stove in the south church needs repair, but there is discussion on whether to fix it or purchase a new one since it is 30+ years old.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR APRIL 2024
Wed., Apr. 3: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., Apr .4: Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM
Sun., Apr. 7: ACC Worship Service @10:30AM, Communion @ACC
Mon., Apr. 8: ACC Session @7PM via Zoom
Wed., Apr. 10: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., Apr. 11: ACCW @1:30PM in ACC Fellowship Hall; Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM
Sun., Apr. 14: ACC Worship Service @10:30AM; Highland 4-H Club Mtg @4PM in ACC Fellowship Hall
Mon., Apr. 15: TAX DAY
Tue., Apr. 16: “Card” Club w/Brenda Bean @4:30pm in ACC Fellowship Hall
Wed., Apr. 17: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., Apr. 18: Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM
Sat., Apr. 20: ACC Kids Club @6PM in North Church
Sun., Apr. 21: ACC Worship Service @10:30AM; Colthurst Scholarship Application Deadline
Mon., Apr. 22: Sacha Club @6:30PM in ACC Fellowship Hall
Wed., Apr. 24: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., Apr. 25 – Sat., Apr. 27: Spring Rummage Sale @UCC
Thu., Apr. 25: Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM;
Sun., Apr. 28: ACC Worship Service @10:30AM
Wed., May 1: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., May 2: Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM
Sun., May 5: Senior Sunday, ACC Worship Service @10:30AM
Wed., May 8: Youth Group at Bethel, 7PM
Thu., May 9: Ascension Day, ACCW @1:30PM, ACC Fellowship Hall; Bible Study @Light House in Washington @7PM
Worship Time
Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM, South Church –
Corner of 4th & Washington
General Ministry of Congregation
Pastor Jason Collier: Home: 319-658-3013; Cell: 563-343-3390.
Email: jwcyouth@gmail.com
Church Office: AinsworthChurch@gmail.com
Phone: 319-657-3020
PO Box 40, 318 4th Street, Ainsworth, IA 52201
Facebook: Ainsworth Community Church
Web: http://ainsworthchurch.org Twitter: AinsworthCC
Secretary: Teri Russell, Cell: 319-461-6608
Email: babygirl.9177@yahoo.com
Organist: Linda McNeil; Jenny Yoder (substitute)
Custodian: Abigail Drost, providentiallyblessed@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Colleen Bean, 319-461-0617
Financial Secretary: Jessica Diers, % PO Box 40
Ainsworth, IA 52201
Mission Committee: Kathi: 319-461-1339; Brenda: 319-461-1637;
Ann: 319-330-0348
Ainsworth Community Church 