to do during the winter, but making a difference does seem like a common thing to do over the New Year. New Year’s Resolutions, right? I know those don’t always turn out the best. Often we make it 4-6 weeks and lose interest. Anybody ever had a gym pass they only used once or twice? Exercise bike they rode a few miles? You get where I’m going, right? Regardless of how new year’s resolutions turn out, I will say this. When our new year’s resolutions focus on the good of someone else, any amount of time we spend on them will make a difference; not just in the lives of others, but in our lives too.

As you look at the year behind us and the year ahead, and even if you reminisce about the last ten or twenty years, be sure to take in mind that the present is where God has called us to be. Make the difference you can today. May your new year be blessed, and may you be a blessing to others!

In Christ,

Mediapolis

601 North Street Mediapolis, IA 52637

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:00 AM Sunday Worship

Sperry

11756 Sperry Road Sperry, IA 52650

9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:15 AM Adult Sunday School

Mailing Address PO Box 38 Mediapolis, IA 52637

Office Telephone 319.394.3131 After hours emergency phone number: 319.768.8593

Office Hours Tuesday—Friday 9:00 AM—4:00 PM

E-mail Office mepomethch@mepotelco.net

Pastor Bruce Smith pastorbrucesmith@gmail.com

Deacon Tracey Burgus tburgus@mepotelco.net

Web Site www.mepoumc.com

Facebook http:/www.facebook.com/mepoumc http://www.facebook.com/sperryumc

Connec A Publication of Mediapolis and Sperry United Methodist Churches. A Publication of Mediapolis and Sperry United

Ready or not, welcome to 2019! Can you believe it? We’re going to be wrapping up yet another decade! For some reason the song, “1999” came to mind. And then it hit me. 1999 was twenty years ago! It doesn’t seem that long ago... Ah yes, it was back when we could still do 2 digit years without the fear of crippling the world of computers, the world of computers seemed a lot smaller than it does today, and cell phones… Well, cell phones for me cost 99 cents a minute for local calling and included one game – snake. Now, many of us use them instead of computers. My, oh my, how far we’ve come. I wonder how far we’ll come in the next 20 years?

We can get caught up in reminiscing on years past, or we can get lost in dreaming about the future, but we’ve also got a whole lot to look forward to right here in the present. As we face the new year, be encouraged to face new opportunities as well. Maybe you’ve always wanted to help in certain ministries but haven’t had the chance. Maybe you’ve been thinking about ways you can make a difference in the community but the time never seemed right. Perhaps it’s time to start talking about those opportunities.

I know that’s not the easiest thing

January 2019

Lay Visitation Ministries Updates and Information

From the Desk of Tracey Burgus

Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, January 6th

Prayer Group @ Sperry

Thursday, January 10th & 24th 6:15 PM

Breakfast by the Boys

Sunday, January 20th 8:00-9:00 AM

Sperry Fellowship Hall Everyone is welcome!

Care & Share Card Ministry

Monday, January 21st 1:00 PM

Rita Cortum’s home

Prayer Group @ Mediapolis Tuesday, January 22nd

6:30 PM

PAGE 2 CONNECT

This Month…

JANUARY 2019

NEED PRAYER OR KNOW

SOMEONE WHO DOES?

Organized prayer teams are available

to minister to your needs. Please

contact the church office with your

prayer requests.

MEAL MINISTRY

The purpose of our Meal Ministry is to

provide meals for families in our

congregation who are recovering from

an illness, surgery or childbirth. If you

are aware of anyone who may need

meals, please contact the church office.

Please call the church office if you

or a family member will be

admitted into the hospital.

Thank You!

into contact with? What if Christians resolved to share their faith story with people they know who might be struggling? What if Christians would resolve to visit shut-ins, make phone calls, or send cards of encouragement to people who find themselves in need? How would this affect the communities and the world that we live in? As we examine our lives and hearts, we may find ourselves already involved in doing these things and I pray that the Holy Spirit would continue accomplishing these kingdom tasks through us. At the same time I wonder if God might be calling you and I to be more intentional in our faith or to reach out to the world around us in some new and exciting way. Whatever resolutions we make I pray that they would be centered around our faith and sharing that with a world so very much in need of God!

The topic of New Year Resolutions has become my annual January newsletter discussion. New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect upon the past year and perhaps make some resolutions in regard to the coming year. Some people jump on the resolution bandwagon and determine to exercise, lose weight, or kick an unhealthy habit. Most resolutions that people make are centered around a change in behavior. As I think about the whole idea of making resolutions, or being resolved to do something, I wonder what would happen in the world if everyone made a resolution surrounding their Christian faith. For instance, what if Christians resolved to read the scriptures every day or to set aside a time each day to pray for others and to listen for God to speak into their life? What if Christians resolved to show the love of Christ on a daily basis to those they come

Senior High (Betzina Yaley | 319-759-3361 | mcygsr@gmail.com) During the month of November, SrHi learned how to live a life less self-focused & more others-focused through a series entitled “After You.”

“In a culture obsessed with selfies, celebrities, money, and success, its not difficult to understand why so many of us struggle with being a little self-centered at times. But

while “me first” may be the norm for the rest of the world, Jesus showed us what it looks like to live a generous, compassionate, selfless, “after you” kind of life. We do this by noticing needs, opening our hands, using our gifts & sharing our joy.”

Here’s what’s coming up in January:

Looking farther ahead: 30 Hour Famine --- tentatively

set for Friday-Saturday, Feb. 22-23 @ Presbyterian Church

Mission Trip to Puerto Rico – June 1-7, 2019

**Remember, if school is canceled on a Wednesday due to weather, MCYG will ALSO be canceled. **Sign up to receive SrHi Remind texts: text @fae770 to 81010

Junior High (Jenny McGhee | 319-752-7008 | mcygjr@gmail.com)

In December we went through a series called Together. It was a three week series about how when the church is united, we can embrace our differences, face challenges with courage, and make a difference in the world...because TOGETHER we are better, braver and have a bigger impact! Something we all need to remember.

We wrapped up the month with a Christmas party. At our Christmas party we had elf names, a mystery meal, a gift exchange and played some games. Everyone went home with a nail ornament to remind them that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Happy New Year to all!

Day of week Date Time Event/Location

Wednesday 1/2/19 CHRISTMAS BREAK - NO YOUTH GROUP

Wednesday 1/9/19 6:15p-7:45p Youth group @ Presbyterian Church

Friday-Saturday 1/11/19- 1/12/19

5p-5p Purity Retreat @ Mediapolis Methodist Church

Wednesday 1/16/19 6:15p-7:45p Youth group @ Presbyterian Church

Wednesday 1/23/19 6:15p-7:45p Youth group @ Presbyterian Church

Sunday 1/27/19 11:15a-1:15p Mission Trip Fundraiser Luncheon @ Mediapolis Methodist Church

Wednesday 1/30/19 6:15p-7:45p Service Project-Project Linus @ Presbyterian Church

DAY/DATE TIME EVENT/LOCATION

Wednesday, Jan 2 NO YOUTH GROUP - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday, Jan 9 8-9:15pm Youth group @ Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, Jan 16 8-9:15pm Youth group @ Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, Jan 23 8-9:15pm Youth group @ Presbyterian church

Wednesday, Jan 30 8-9:15pm Lounge night

PAGE 3 CONNECT JANUARY 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Church Office

Closed

2 3

Women’s Study

6:00 PM, Mepo

4 5

6

Communion

Epiphany

7 8 9

Awana

6:15 PM, Mepo

10

Women’s Study

6:00 PM, Mepo

Prayer Group

6:15 PM, Sperry

11 12

13 14 15

Ad Council

6:00 PM, Sperry

Ad Council

7:30 PM, Mepo

16

Awana

6:15 PM, Mepo

17

Women’s Study

6:00 PM, Mepo

SPRC

6:30 PM, Sperry

18 19

20

Breakfast By

the Boys

8:00 AM, Sperry

21

Care & Share

Card Ministry

1:00 PM,

Cortum’s

22

Prayer Group

6:30 PM, Mepo

23

Awana

6:15 PM, Mepo

24

Women’s Study

6:00 PM, Mepo

Prayer Group

6:15 PM, Sperry

25 26

27 28 29 30

Awana

6:15 PM, Mepo

31

Women’s Study

6:00 PM, Mepo

Mediapolis

9:00 AM • Sunday School

10:00 AM • Sunday Worship

Sperry

9:00 AM • Sunday Worship

10:15 AM • Adult Sunday School

Jan 1 Genesis 1-2; Ephesians 1; Psalm 148 Jan 2 Genesis 3-4; Ephesians 2 Jan 3 Genesis 5-6; Ephesians 3; Psalm 12 Jan 4 Genesis 7-8; Ephesians 4 Jan 5 Genesis 9-10; Ephesians 5 Jan 6 Genesis 11-13; Ephesians 6 Jan 7 Genesis 14-15; Matthew 1; Psalm 47 Jan 8 Genesis 16-18; Matthew 2 Jan 9 Genesis 19-20; Matthew 3; Psalm 11 Jan 10 Genesis 21-23; Matthew 4 Jan 11 Genesis 24; Matthew 5

Jan 12 Genesis 25; Matthew 6; Psalm 127 Jan 13 Genesis 26-27; Matthew 7 Jan 14 Genesis 28-29; Matthew 8 Jan 15 Genesis 30; Matthew 9 Jan 16 Genesis 31; Matthew 10 Jan 17 Genesis 32-33; Matthew 11; Psalm 131 Jan 18 Genesis 34; Matthew 12; Psalm 64 Jan 19 Genesis 35; Matthew 13 Jan 20 Genesis 36; Matthew 14 Jan 21 Genesis 37-38; Matthew 15 Jan 22 Genesis 39-40; Matthew 16

Jan 23 Genesis 41; Matthew 17; Psalm 40 Jan 24 Genesis 42; Matthew 18 Jan 25 Genesis 43-44; Matthew 19 Jan 26 Genesis 45-46; Matthew 20 Jan 27 Genesis 47; Matthew 21 Jan 28 Genesis 48-49; Matthew 22 Jan 29 Genesis 50; Exodus 1; Matthew 23 Jan 30 Exodus 2-3; Matthew 24 Jan 31 Exodus 4; Matthew 25

JANUARY DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE

01/01 Korkee Carruthers, Nicholas

Isom, Brooke VanWinkle

01/03 Gary Earnest, Sarah Smith

01/04 Nick Breuer

01/05 Mindi Fye, Kari Stephens

01/06 Theresa Brown

01/07 Joni Hollingsworth, Dan Keitzer,

Logan Thie

01/08 Jerry Miller

01/09 David Hicks, Cara Hammond

01/10 Ed Schrock

01/11 Courtney Petersen

01/12 Linda Jones

01/13 Mark McConnell

01/14 Kathleen Dziulko, Dan Petersen

01/15 Caitlin Tade

01/16 Conner Kester

01/17 Rev. Mel Miller, Jonathon

Thomson

01/18 Bill Moehle, Sarah

Vorwerk, Mark Warth

01/19 Dixie Hauswirth, Jan Worden

01/20 Sammy Koval, David Steffener

01/21 Fred Carruthers, Connie

Garland

01/22 Ken Davis, Dan Green,

Mike Green, Cara Schnedler

01/23 Katie Powers, Natalie Whisler

01/25 Dee Green, Kyle Hicks

01/27 Bobby Thomson

01/30 Dale Edmonds

01/31 Theresa Reckling, Joan Wunnenberg

01/14 Lee & Shelly Kerr

01/22 Stan & Pauline Palmer

01/27 John & Rita Cortum

01/28 Brent & Karen Eberhardt

In case of bad weather,

cancellations or changes

to the service schedules will

be posted on KBUR-KGRS

and on the home page of

our church website

www.mepoumc.com.

Meetings

Sperry Ad Council Tuesday, January 15—6:00 PM.

Mediapolis Ad Council Tuesday, January 15—7:30 PM.

SPRC Thursday, January 17—6:30 PM at

Sperry.

This Bible reading schedule is thematic or connective in nature. The goal is to make as many associations as

possible between the different parts of Scripture while still reading individual books of the Bible from start to

finish. Only the Psalms are not read in consecutive order. The Psalms are individually apportioned

throughout the year to increase the number of connections that can be observed and appreciated.