Tuesday, May 10, 2011

OUR WEEK — MAY 15TH TO MAY 21ST

REMINDERS —
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11TH —
PRAYER BREAKFAST - 7 A.M. @ HAPPY CHEF
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THURSDAY, MAY 12TH —
T.T.T. at Casey U.M.C. - from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M.
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SATURDAY, MAY 14TH:
IT’S A 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION —

For Wayne Walter, who is Pam Fisher's father.
Happy Birthday, Wayne!
This is to be held in Stuart, United Methodist
Church from 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
We would love to have everyone come!
He will be so excited to see everyone.
If you can’t come, you might send him
a card.
His address is:
Wayne Walter
PO Box 517,
Stuart, IA 50250.
Please no gifts.
Thank you,
Pam

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SUNDAY, MAY 15TH
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
COLOR: WHITE OR GOLD

We have been reading from Peter's Pentecost
sermon during Easter tide.

The common theme among the texts this Sunday
is "Signs of Faithful Discipleship."
Where do we
see signs of the Holy Spirit at work among
believers? People sharing what they have, people
giving to people in need."

Our thoughts are
quickly drawn to the victims of
hundreds of tornadoes in the southland - - and
now to the flood victims who live in close
proximity to the Mississippi River, which borders
our own state.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
ACTS 2:42-47 (The Message)
The signs of a Christian community, alive in
the Spirit: abiding in the teaching and
fellowship of the apostles, sharing all they
have, and being diligent about the breaking
of bread and the prayers. Result of such a
community? Not just growth,
but multiplication!

42 They committed themselves to the teaching
of the apostles, the life together, the common
meal, and the prayers.
43 Everyone around was in awe - all those
wonders and signs done through the apostles!
44 And all the believers lived in a wonderful
harmony, holding everything in common. 45 They sold whatever they owned and pooled
their resources so that each person's need was met.
46 They followed a daily discipline of worship in
the Temple followed by meals at home, every
meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful,
47 as they praised God. People in general liked
what they saw. Every day their number grew as
God added those who were saved.
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PSALM 23 (UMH 754 or 137) (The Message)1 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm
not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty
shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of
my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup
brims with blessing.6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of
my life. I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
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1 PETER 2:19–25 (The Message)
Another sign of being a community of the Risen
Jesus: our capacity to suffer unjustly and bless
God as we endure it.

19 What counts is that you put up with it for God's
sake when you're treated badly for no good reason.
20 There's no particular virtue in accepting
punishment that you well deserve. But if you're
treated badly for good behavior and continue in
spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts
with God.
21 This is the kind of life you've been invited into,
the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything
that came his way so you would know that it could
be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
22 He never did one thing wrong, Not once said
anything amiss.
23 They called him every name in the book and he
said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content
to let God set things right.
24 He used his servant body to carry our sins to the
Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right
way. His wounds became your healing.
25 You were lost sheep with no idea who you were
or where you were going. Now you're named and
kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
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JOHN 10:1–10
(The Message)
More signs: Like the Good Shepherd, we call
others to safe pasture, protect them from harm,
and offer life abundant through him who calls us
disciples and friends.

1 "Let me set this before you as plainly as I can.
If a person climbs over or through the fence of a
sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you
know he's up to no good - a sheep rustler!
2 The shepherd walks right up to the gate.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the
sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep
by name and leads them out.
4 When he gets them all out, he leads them and
they follow because they are familiar with his voice.
5 They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter
because they aren't used to the sound of it."
6 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea
what he was talking about.
7 So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the
Gate for the sheep.
8 All those others are up to no good - sheep stealers,
every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them.
9 I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be
cared for - will freely go in and out, and find pasture.
10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and
better life than they ever dreamed of.

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Today is Adair-Casey School Commencement.
Congratulations to our Graduating Seniors.
I know you have heard this a million times but,
"Didn't they grow up fast?"And . . . a huge thank you to the people who worked so
hard on the Graduation Quilts. OUTSTANDING!We do not have a picture of our fourth graduate,
Ashley Noland. We wish for all four of you, sunny days,
smooth roads, and calm seas. If the rain should happen
to fall, do not give up. Just make an umbrella out of
something - - anything! Congratulations Grads!
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MONDAY, MAY 16TH —
Pastor Lynn's and Naomi's day off.
The office is closed today.
Casey U.M.C. Evening Bible Study —
from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.

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TUESDAY, MAY 17TH —
Adair U.M.C. Morning Bible Study - 9 to 11 A.M.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 18TH —
Dorcus/Ruth Circle — 9:30 A.M. with Louise Arter
Martha Circle @ 7 P.M. at Casey U.M.C.
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THURSDAY, MAY 19 —
Deborah/Mary Circle at 2 P.M. in Casey U.M.C.
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Our hearts and prayers are with the thousands of
people who are losing their homes to the flood
waters of the Mighty Mississippi River. Millions of
dollars were spent on the series of dams and locks
constructed up and down the Mississippi meant to
stop the flooding, and
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FUTURE FOCUS —
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25TH —
Adair AD Council will meet with Rev. Ed Kail at
6:30 P.M. The consultations will be reviewed.
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Congratulations to the kids who signed up for summer
camp. We have Sydney Noland, Josh and Jacob
Reed, and Brice Rochholz. I know you are going to
have a great time! Thank you to everyone who
helped make this program possible.

God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Lynn