First Congregational Church

Monthly Newsletter

Inside this issue

Bell Ringers .................... 2

Warm Fuzzies………….……2

Bible Study..…………....…..2

Book Group..…….....……...3

Help Wanted…………...…..3

Financial Peace….…...…..4

Place to Be………...………..4

Youth Group………………..4

Sunday School……………..4

Women’s Connection…..5

Financial Summary……….5

Gathered to Share

God’s Love.

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. --John 14:2

I don’t know if you have noticed, but there seem to be a lot Nancys in our church. There are in fact 19 Nancys in the church. Supposing the church to be a house of God, we might update John 14:2, “In our Father’s house, there are many Nancys,” each one individually is dwelling place for God, each and all together make the church a place of healing and hope for others. How many Nancys can you name? And what is it about women named Nancy, any-way? Why do we have such a cluster of Nancys in our church? Nancy was a name given by a generation in a hopeful time, a statement of belief in positivism, hard work, and honesty. Spiritual Engagement Ministry Board: Nancys Lackey and Keller, Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Building and Finance: Nancy Ulrich. Currently, Outreach and Mission Ministry Board is Nancy-less, but this is sure to change. Neither are there Nancys currently serving on our Christian Education Min-istry Board, but this board has a rich tradition of Christines (Chris, Kristi), a name which may be the next generation’s answer to Nancy. I can tell you from experience, it’s good to have a Nancy or two on your side: ditto Christine. To get things done requires a commitment to detail and follow through. Without a good attitude and faith in hard work nothing worthy gets done. These good souls are not only people in whom God dwells, but who help to make us better dwelling place for others. What do you think is the most common name in the church for men? I don’t know for sure, but can you think of two Nancys married to Bills? How many Williams do we have? There are 24 Williams. There are 43 Johns. I could count the number of Barbaras, Jims, Mikes, and Deannas--do you get this beautiful picture? We don’t think of these individuals as a group; we think of them as individual peo-ple, for it is with these people as individuals that we experience the indwelling of God. Yet if we imagine together as one all the individual Nancys and Chistines, Williams, and Johns, and Jims, and Mikes, and Deannas--then we may see how they collec-tively become God’s dwelling place, the home Jesus promises. “In my Father’s House there are many dwelling places.” Indeed. -Pastor Craig

September 1, 2016

Bell Ringers Needed The Campanella Ringers currently have openings for 2 new ringers. If you have the ability to read musical rhythms and notes, plus prior piano, vocal, band or orchestra experience, you are who we need! The ringers participate in musical leader-ship for worship usually the 3rd Sunday each month plus Christmas Eve. We have Wednesday rehearsals 7-8 pm with childcare provided in the nursery. Beginning of the musical season is a great time to join when the choir is building new skills. The first rehearsal for fall will be Wednesday, Aug 24 at 7 pm. Are you interest-ed? Contact Gail,gail@fccmoline.org or one of the ringers.

Warm Fuzzies Warm Fuzzies will resume meeting Wednesday, September 7 in the Large Dining Room. We welcome anyone interested to join this group to knit, crochet, and sew for those in need, including Prayer shawls. All skill levels are encouraged and we can teach you if you are just starting or need to brush up. Supplies can be provided. Drop by anytime be-tween 3 and 5 pm each Wednesday to join us as we work and share. Questions? Call Kathy Harris 797-5939.

Bible Study Resumes

Wednesday Morning Bible Study resumes on September 7 at 10 am with a slightly differ-ent approach this Fall. Pastor Michael Swartz has generously offered to lead some topi-cal studies. We will start things off with a look at Church Creeds. Not quite sure what that means? Neither does anyone else, come learn with other seekers. Bring your Bible, different translations make things more interesting. This series on Creeds is scheduled for five weeks. There will be study booklets for the class. So if you miss a session you can read up if you wish. Generally most of the group heads out to lunch following the study. Hope to see you in the Parlor on Wednesday, September 7 or any Wednesday this Fall! Drop-ins always welcome.

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Book Group—Timely Study of Pope Francis We have had a wide range of book titles for 2016. We have learned about women's roles in the WWII effort through The Girls of Atomic City. Some of us participated in an outside study of environmental issues through the book, Flight Behavior. Our Lenten study was The Last Week by Marcus Borg & John Crossen. Moving on to an early historical account, we read Capitol Dames by Cokie Roberts. Summer-time was spent reading & discussing The Lemon Tree, a wonderful account of an Israeli wom-an and Palestinian man, both impacted by the same house...and lemon tree. During the time of the 2016 Olympics in Rio we read a riveting story, The Boys in the Boat, about the rowing crew from U. of Washington. We found ourselves cheering on "the boys"! And they did it!

And our upcoming selection is The Great Reformer: Francis & the Making of a Radical Pope by Austen Ivereigh, 2014. Mr. Ivereigh writes an expansive biography of Pope Francis. "Relying on extensive interviews in Argentina, Rome, and elsewhere, as well as years of study of the contemporary Catholic Church, The Great Reformer tells the story of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who went from lower-middle-class child of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires to spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholics worldwide. We plan to delve deeply into this book all through the month of Sep-tember and finish the discussion on October 12. Get your copy and join us for a lively weekly time of discussing a book. We meet Wednesdays from 12:30 - 2:30 pm in the FCC Parlor.

Help Wanted FCC gives a baptismal cross stitch to the parents of children who are baptized in our church. We are in dire need of people who are willing to stitch the samplers and finish them. We cur-rently have 3 people doing this work. If you are willing and able, contact Leanne Satterthwaite at 309-799-5873 or satt11677@gmail.com.

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Financial Peace University

Starting on September 14, we will introduce a new program on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm called Financial Peace University. This program, developed by Dave Ramsey, is designed to help people take charge of their financial lives. The program consists of nine weekly sessions 90 minutes long. In each session you will view an educational video, participate in discussions in small groups and work on developing a financial plan for your situation. This program has already helped millions of people.

If you’re ready to control your money instead of having it control you, this program is for you. There is a fee of $93 for this course per family unit. If you’re married, it’s highly recommend-ed for both spouses to attend. To learn more about the program, check out www.daveramsey.com/fpu/. If you have any questions, contact Dan Neff at dneff@aquent.com or 309-721-4023.

Use this link to sign up for this course, http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1019425

Place to Be Place to Be has taken a mission theme for the fall. First up, the Youth Summer Mission Trip. Dinner served at 5:30 pm on September 14. After dinner adults and kids 2nd grade and up are invited to hear about the Youth Summer Mission Trip to Murray, IA. All 7 mission trip partici-pants will be available to talk about their experience, and to highlight next summer's mission trip and how you can take part! Children PreK through 1st grade are invited to the CE wing for a fun Bible based activity. Be sure you can attend, because FCC is the Place to Be!!

Youth Group The Youth Group will assemble on Saturday, September 10 at Black Hawk State Park for hiking and fun! Gather at 4 pm at Watchtower Lodge, we will have dinner together and pickup will be at 6 pm. Let Becca know if you are able to attend at becca@fccmoline.org.

Sunday School The new Sunday School year will Kick Off September 11 at 9 am. Children ages 3 years old through 6th grade gather in the CE wing at 9 am for the first Sunday of classes. In September we are studying from the book of Genesis, the Creation story and learning of Abraham and Sarah. We are excited to share another year of learning and growing with our FCC children! Adult Bible study will also begin on this date at 9 am, meeting in the Parlor.

Financial Summary—July 2016 July pledge income was $12,204 over budget. Pledge income year to date is over budget by

$28,791! Total Receipts for the year are over budget by $18,681. Pledges have been coming in sooner this year which has blown the trend from the past few

years away. At the end of July we have usually received 50 – 55% of pledge income for the year. This year we have received 63% of pledge income for the year!

Giving has been much more consistent through the months this year. Monthly expenses were right in line with what was expected. River Bend Food Bank to help with food distribution efforts. Overall, expenses are $33,824 under budget. And year to date we have a net income of

$42,272. Keep using Amazon Smile when you make your Amazon purchases. For the past year we’ve

been receiving a donation of about $8 per quarter for purchases made there but for the sec-ond quarter of this year we received $25.66. Every little bit helps!

Submitted by: Sara Otta, Financial Manager, sarao@fccmoline.org

JULY JULY

BUDGET

YEAR TO DATE BUDGET TO DATE

Pledge Income $37,467 $25,263 $198,640 $169,849

Offerings 1,382 1,400 9,060 11,390

Other Income 14,860 17,108 115,618 123,398

TOTAL RECEIPTS $53,709 $43,771 $323,318 $304,637

TOTAL EXPENSES -$37,580 -$43,612 -$281,046 -$314,870

NET INCOME/LOSS $16,129 $159 $42,272 -$10,233

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Women’s Connection

The Women’s Connection has met and planned some exciting programs for the coming year. Watch the newsletter and the Bridge for our lantern to learn of upcoming programs/events. We encourage all women to attend at least once. September 24—The NAMI Walk (National Alliance on Mental Illness) The purpose of the walk is to raise funds to support the programs and families of those suffer-ing with some type of mental illness. We will gather with FCC’s team leader Wes Llewellyn, at 8:30 am at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport, IA. You will be able to recognize the FCC team by the matching t-shirts. Sign-up with Erin at 309-762-0787 or erin@fccmoline.org. If you are unable to participate by walking, please make a donation to this worthy cause.