Volume 29 No. 7 July 2014

Shepherd

“Staying Behind” – Thoughts on Pastor Michael’s Renewal Leave

Life has seemed to provide my wife, Abbey, and I plenty of opportunities to travel independently from oneanother. Between various ministry trips, weekends reconnecting with family members or old friends, orjust busy schedules that have had us going in two different directions; there have been many times whenwe’ve been separated for days, a week, or more at a time. And we have often marveled at the disparity ofexperience between the one who goes off on a trip or adventure and the one who stays behind.

It has been our general observation, that the one who stays behind has a harder time with the separation.The one who is off on a trip or adventure is generally having a blast: seeing friends, experiencing newthings, or just enjoying the break of being away from the bustle of daily life. But, the one who ends upstaying behind… well… they are busy, stuck in the daily grind. Often they’ll have more work to do in theother’s absence. And they’re home alone.

I imagine Michael is having a wonderful time on his Extended Renewal Leave. He’s had opportunities totravel, to see old friends, to spend time with his wife, his boys and his family, and he’s had some time to restfrom the bustle of his role as Senior Pastor. I’m sure he’s having a blast!

But what about those of us who have “stayed behind”? I’ve been asked a number of times, by some thoughtfulpeople, how it’s going with Michael being gone. I think folks ask, because most people realize that it isharder to stay behind.

Well, the daily grind has ground on. There has been some added work. But I have not been “home alone”!There have been a good number of folks who’ve come around those of us who’ve stayed behind to carryon the ministry of Westkirk. Many have stepped up to share in the extra work. And I can honestly say thatit has been a joy to stay behind!

While staying behind is generally more difficult, there is one disadvantage for the one who is off having ablast on a trip or adventure: their time seems to go so much faster!

By the time you are reading this, Michael will have returned from his Extended Renewal Leave. And let metell you, we will be glad to have him back! But his time away has not been hard on me as one who has been“staying behind”. And that is because of all of you! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayersduring Michael’s time away!

Gratefully yours in Christ,

Pastor Brandon

The SessionModerator - Michael Mudlaff

Class of 2014Chad Carlson

John DonaldsonTrent Vis

Class of 2015Chuck Heitbrink

Michael MackDoug Peter

Class of 2016Mark Bakker

Tom Duff

The DeaconsModerator - Donna Vorm

Commission DeaconsDiscipleship - (Acting) Mark Bakker, 2014

Evangelism - Sue Holcomb, 2014Worship - Melinda Turnbull, 2015

Committee DeaconsFellowship - Brad Miller, 2015

House and Grounds - Russ Harrison, 2015Stewardship - Sandy Champion, 2015

Parish Deacons

Birthdays Anniversaries

Moderator - Myra Verros

Class of 2014Sherril Bain

Rebecca DonaldsonDavid Tullis

Wanda BechtelClass of 2015

Kay CunitzRegi Donaldson

Cheryl HarringtonChuck Holcomb

Dave & Cindy LanhamDot Monroe

Treasurer - Chris BrownAssistant Treasurer -Don Iverson

CommunionOffering

This month’s is forJonathan and Becky

Schuster. This will helpwith their airline ticketexpenses as they returnto Ireland at the end of

July. Thank you!

Please consider anadditional gift.

2 ............................ Barbara Asman3 ........................ Chuck Brumfield3 .............................. *Cora Scheve3 .................... *Abigail Van Gundy7 ............................... Larry Bechtel7 .............................. *Lindsey Duff7 .............................. *Anna Scheve9 ........................... Mark DeGroot11............................. Molly Brown11.......................... Monica Brown11.............................Wiggs Lyman11.................... +Ward Schmeidel12 .................................. *Erin Boyd13.............................. Olivia Eyerly13.................... Milton Hockmuth16................................... Jeff Brady17............................. David Arnold18....................... *Michael Bakker19.............................. *Sarah Brady19............................... Barb Wilson20........................ Michael Mudlaff20 ................. +*Andrew Schuster21........................+Gary De Graaf21 ................................ Kirk Yentes24............................. Lynda Brown24............................Kirstin Knight24............................. Marilyn Long24............................ Robin Riggins26................................ Beryl Irvine28.................................. Mary King29................ Rebecca Donaldson31....................... *Parker Groner

3 ................. +Greg & Cathy Huffer7 ................... Kevin & Rachel Heer8 ............... David & Elaine Gaumer12....... Charles & Susan Holcomb13..................... Ken & Ann Bratney14......Eric & Melissa Wickemeyer20..................... Paul & Judi Meinen25............ +Gary & Kate De Graaf

CondolencesDeepest sympathies to Dave andMary Arnold and family on theloss of Dave’s father, Mel Arnold.Services were held out of town.

*Youth Member+Missionaries

MoveTheFoodThe May collection for the DMARC Food Pantryresulted in 18 canned goods, 3 mixes, 2 jars of peanutbutter, and 3 containers of vitamins. The ongoingdrive for hygiene items resulted in 7 containers ofdetergent, 216 baby wipes, 74 diapers, 6toothbrushes, 24 rolls of toilet paper, and 28 bottlesof nail polish. Cash donations of $1,335.00 werealso received.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this drivefor your wonderful generosity. Your contributionsare greatly appreciated.

The next Move the Food drive will be held in August.

Stewardship ReportCurrent Year Last Year

Ingathering $190,488.68 $194,926.33Expenditures 203,008.37 181,185.28Difference (12,519.69) 13,741.05

I ngather ing was again $3 ,500 l e ss t hanbudgeted estimates; however, expenses werealso less by about the same amount. Note theYTD shortfall. This is an especially productivetime of the year with VBS, mission trips toCrownpoint and Hungary, the upcomingmission weekend in August, and many otherevangelism ef forts made possible by yourfinancial commitment to the work of Westkirk.Please be faithful in your giving through thesummer months.

The May Communion offering for the REMMMission totaled nearly $700. It was given tothe Pella Team going to Romania this monthand helped purchase prescription medications,vitamins, and dental supplies for the gypsyvillages. Thank you for your generous supportof this opportunity to directly benefit the workof our missionaries Peter and Ana Lucaciu.

. . . Sandy Champion,Stewardship Committee Deacon

Senior Adult Ministry Opportunities

On June 10, the Senior Adults met for a lunch offried chicken and fixings with apple pie ala mode.Following the meal we heard a presentation aboutCharles Wesley by Pastor Paul and sang several ofWesley’s hymns accompanied by Gail De Graaf. Didyou know Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns?There are 16 in our hymnal including “Hark theHerald Angels Sing” and “Christ the Lord is RisenToday”.

On Tuesday, July 8, the Senior Adults will meet atMurphy Park for a picnic and fellowship. Watch theWeekly for more details or contact the church officeat 253-0330. Be sure to sign up on the Connect Cardby Sunday, July 6.

New AddressesJordan and Mary Pohlmann

298 W. Main StreetMarengo, Iowa 52301

Jackie Monroe8331 Colby Parkway #126Urbandale, Iowa 50322

Teacher AppreciationThe Discipleship Commission would like to recognize and thank the following people for their time,effort, creativity and faithfulness in helping our congregation “To Know Christ and Make Him Known”.These people have dedicated many hours to preparing lessons and teaching in Sunday school, Kidskirk,WOW, HouseKirks, Dorcas Circle and Bible studies. Please take time to thank a person who has taughtyou or your children this year!

Adult EducationMark Bakker, Chad Carlson, Michael Mudlaff, Dan Marvin, Paul Nelson

Women’s Bible StudyRegi Donaldson, Rebecca Donaldson, Benae Duff, Mona Yentes, Kay Cunitz

Dorcas CircleGail De Graaf, Elaine Erickson, Lou Heitbrink, Bette Jones, Fran Nugteren

Housekirk LeadersScott & Stacie Bland, John Donaldson, Chuck Heitbrink, Lou Heitbrink, Chuck & Sue Holcomb, PaulKurtz, Brandon & Abbey Mick, Paul Nelson, Bill & Marsha Raisch, Styles Stadtlander, Lee & MelindaTurnbull, Larry & Sherie Whitehead

Intergenerational Sunday SchoolMark Bakker, Chuck Heitbrink, Chuck Holcomb, Styles Stadtlander, David Tullis

Student MinistryMark & Hanna DeGroot, Kevin Heer, Michael & Kerri Mack, Brandon & Abbey Mick, Brad Miller, KyraStadtlander, Styles Stadtlander, Trent & Dawn Vis, Amy Withers

Children’s MinistryTeresa Bakker, Matthew Brown, Monica Brown, Eric Brown, Chad & Amanda Carlson, HannaDeGroot, Tom & Benae Duff, Nicole Duff, Sarah Eiland, Hannah Eiland, Zachary Eiland, ElaineGaumer, Judy Hahn, Kevin & Rachel Heer, Madeline Heer, Meredith Heer, Gloria Huyser, CherylHarrington, Cindy Lanham, Abbey Mick, Jonah Mudlaff, Sasha Mudlaff, Jackie Monroe, KarenParman, Keri Roland, Danika Stadtlander, Karissa Stadtlander, Kylah Tuinstra, Sandy Tuinstra,Lindsey Vis, Donna Vorm, Sherie Whitehead, Amy Withers

*Special thanks to the Fellowship Committee for preparing meals for WOW, and to Doug and WandaLouis for hosting in the hospitality room each Sunday!

The Fellowship Commission is planninganother event for Westkirk! We will beattending the Iowa Cubs game onSaturday, July 26. We will begin with atailgating party at Westkirk where BradMiller will be firing up the grill. We willhave plenty of your typical tailgating fare,so you won’t go hungry. Once everyone is full, we will load the busand head down to Principal Park for the 7:05 game against the MemphisRedbirds. Westkirk has purchased a block of 40 tickets. The cost is$10 per person. Please sign up at the Welcome Center or contactBrad Miller at 557-0012 or millerkbchln@mchsi.com to get yourtickets reserved. Come cheer on the Cubs!

Take Me Out to the BallGame Saturday July 26

Micah Mudlaff has chosen to raise funds, organize, and lead the effortto complete Phase 1 of the Westkirk Presbyterian Church MemorialScattering Garden as his final requirement and project to attain therank of Eagle Scout. The memorial scattering garden will be a place ofprayer and remembrance as well as a location for the church to leadand host outdoor memorial services.

The project consists of digging up dirt and sod outside the church tothe east of the sanctuary, laying metal edging around a designated areaand design, placing 4-5 inches of crushed limestone to create a flat andsolid surface within that area, compressing the limestone with acompactor, laying bricks in the area, and filling in material between thebricks that will act as a mortar. Micah’s goal is to raise around $4,000to purchase these materials, plus the renting of the tools and machineryneeded to get the job done. Any funds raised above and beyond thisamount will be used by Westkirk to complete the subsequent phasesof the memorial garden in the future.

Would you consider donating to make this Eagle Scout project areality? You can make your tax-deductible donation via check toWestkirk Presbyterian Church and place it in the offering or mail itdirectly to the church at 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, Iowa.Please put ‘memorial garden’ in the memo line of the check.

If you have questions or would like to assist the team in completingthe project, please contact Micah Mudlaff at 238-4432 or speak to hisproject advisor, Russ Harrison or the Memorial Garden projectdirector, Val Wilson at Westkirk. Thank you for your support.

Eagle Scout Project and the MemorialScattering Garden

2014 Elder and DeaconTraining Class UpdateThe church leadership trainingclasses are set to begin in July.Pastor Paul Nelson and RulingElder Chuck Heitbrink will beleading the inaugural class onJuly 9 at 7:00 p.m. They willbe presenting a lesson on thenature of the offices of Elderand Deacons. Other c lassdates are scheduled , a sfollows:

July 30 – Lesson Two,Qualifications forOffice;SpiritualLife ofthe Church Officer

August 13 – Lesson Three,Church History

August 27 – Lesson Four,Doctrines of theChurch

September – Sacraments;Worship

October-Church Govern-ment; ChurchDiscipline

As previously stated, the intentof the training program is, ingenera l , to prov ide theWestkirk community with abetter understanding of what itmeans to serve God’s peoplethrough the elected positionsof E lder and Deacon. Thetraining classes are open to allmembers o f Westk i rkPresbyterian Church.

I f you are in t eres ted i nattending the classes, pleasecontact Doug Peter or anymember of the Session.

EvangelismNews

Gary and Kate De GraafGEM/FranceWe are in the U.S. for the summerand hope to see as many peopleas possible. We sti ll havequestions about Kate becoming acitizen (on hold for another fewyears). We have more papers tocomplete, and Kate is okay to staythis summer. Pray for them asthey have a very busy schedule.We are so happy they will be ourVBS missionaries this year!

Dr. Peter and AnaLucaciu REM/RomaniaPray for them as they work withU.S. teams doing medical ministry,visiting and helping the needypeople in rural villages, helping atCasa Joseph, visiting churches, theprograms with children, ministryin public schools, Gypsy ministry,and planting walnut trees (theirnew outreach to fund theirmission).

Jonathan and BeckySchuster GEM/IrelandPray for the remaining supportand one-time gifts needed toreturn to Ireland, and safe travelsduring June and July as we wrapup our Home MinistryAssignment. Please pray forCaleb as he prepares for anothertransition year without his family(and Becky’s emotional stability!)– he will take his senior year herein the U.S. We ask for a hedge ofprotection on our family & goodfriends for each of our lads.

Our missionaries servingCentral AsiaPray for God’s solutions to thequestion of how we fund nationalworkers in Turkey. God told usto pray for Him to send outworkers to His harvest, so webelieve He wouldn’t send themout without the resources theyneed, so He must have a solution.We need for Him to reveal thisto us!

Dr. Argyis and DinaPetrou AMG/GreecePray for Argyis as he teaches inthe Greek Bible college andDina as she ministers to victimsof human trafficking. Pleasepray for their youngest sonErastos, who had open heartsurgery when he was one yearold, and must have anothersurgery in early September.Argyis and Dina will be here inAugustfor our Mission Sunday.

Dan MarvinInternational Messengers/HungaryDan (and this year’s team) will betraveling to Hungary to participatein English Camps July 23 throughAugust 2. He has been going since1998. Pray for travel safety andhealth and that many will find Jesusthrough this outreach. Ourchurch secretary Suzette Carterwill also be on this year’s team.Please remember them in prayer!

We are profoundly grateful to our church family for your prayers and concern during the recent death of my(David’s) father. The cards and notes of sympathy were a great source of encouragement for us during the pastweek.

David and Mary Arnold

Thank you for the kind words and cards following the sudden passing of Sue’s brother John. We are enjoying thelovely plant sent by our church. We felt very loved and cared for by our church family.

Chuck and Sue Holcomb

To Our Westkirk FamilyWords cannot express our gratefulness, gratitude, and appreciation for all the prayers, visits, caring, and cards formy dad, Clarence A. Duke during his 2 plus years of illness. Thank you so much.

Thank you Westkirk for the beautiful pink Azalea plant you sent to the funeral.

A special thank you to Pastor Paul & Donna, Pastor Michael, Chuck and Doug, his Elder along with many othersthat came to visit my dad. He loved to have company.

Thank you Larry, for providing the sound support for the funeral. It was so professional. Thank you Audrene, forarranging all the flowers for the funeral and decorating all the tables in the dining room for the luncheon.

To the ladies that served the catered lunch we ordered from KFC (my dad’s favorite fried chicken); Sherry, Judy,Kathy, Wanda, Kay, and Marilyn. Thank you for making the luncheon very nice and special. And Becky...thank formaking the dessert. It was so delicious.

We are blessed that so many people from Westkirk helped us during the last 2 plus years. My dad was so sick, hewas not able to attend church during that time but he always said, “I love this church.” Thank you Westkirk, yoursupport was so appreciated.

God Bless you,

The family of Clarence A. DukeJack and Barb Wilson

Dear Westkirk,Thank you for the graduation gift card. My car now has a Jesus fish and dove on it! I love it! Best of wishes to thestaff and congregation.

Elizabeth Leonard

Thank You Notes

StudentMinistry

During the summer months wetake a break from a goodportion o f our regularprogramming. Though we stillmeet for Sunday school, we takea break from our Wednesdayevening gatherings.

W h i l estudents areon breakfrom manyschool-yeara c t i v i t i e s ,

summer break tends to still bea busy time for kids. To stayconnected , we ga ther fo rfellowship during June, July, andAugust. We meet most Tuesdayafternoons to play games andeat treats. Each week, I’ll benotifying everyone of wherewe’ll be by posting it in theWeekly bulletin insert.

In addit ion to our Tuesdaymeetings, we’ll have a coupleother things going on. Keepwatching for more informationabout a trip to Lake Rathbunin July and a day at the IowaState Fairin August.M o r einformationw i l l bec o m i n gsoon!!

The calendar is flipping toJuly, but I’ve been lookingforward to this month forthe last several. Our annualVacation Bible School isalmost here!

This year ’s theme isSCIENCE, us ing BasicElements curricu lumwritten by local children’spastor Josh Denhart. Josh

is a former chemistry teacher at Valley High School, and now worksfull time at Valley Church. The way he uses science experiments toillustrate basic Biblical truths is so compelling that I knew it wouldbe a great fit with Westkirk’s mission ‘To Know Christ and MakeHim Known’.

Each letter in the word BASIC stands for one ‘element’ of faith -Believe, Act, Serve, Impact, and Celebrate. One element will beshared each night, and illustrated with several science experimentsthat will catch kids’ attention and cement spiritual truths in theirhearts and minds.

“One of the most important things we can do is consider HOWwe communicate Biblical truths to kids. How can we accuratelyand yet creatively communicate the timeless truths of the Bible ina memorable way that works for kids? Science VBS uses a series ofreal, hands-on science experiences to share powerful illustrationsabout Jesus Christ, His salvation, and the Kingdom of God,” saysJosh.

One of my favoriteparts of this VBS is thatit meets kids (andadults) right wherethey are—whetherthey’ve grown up inchurch their wholelives, or don’t evenknow who Jesus is. Ican’t wait to see whothe Lord will bring toWestkirk July 13-17.

(continued on next page)

(continued from previous page)

Gary (son of Gail De Graaf) and Kate De Graaf and their family will be our guest missionaries for theweek, and the offering we receive will go to support their efforts to share Christ in France!

Each evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner in the Great Hall, followed by worship, lesson time,games, a terrific science project, and a little more worship before dismissal at 8 p.m. We’ll be doingthis year’s VBS ‘family style’ again, which means that parents or adults get to stay and participate withthe kids! A staffed nursery will be provided for any little ones whose parents would like to takeadvantage of it.

PLAN NOW to join us - any and all ages are welcome, and there is no cost to attend. If you’d like tojust come and have dinner and maybe stay for the fun, you’re welcome to do that. Be sure to inviteany friends or family as well! Advance registration at www.westkirk.org or by calling the churchoffice at (515) 253-0330 is appreciated, but not absolutely necessary. If you’d like to donate money,desserts, or supplies for the week, please call or email me, or see the display in the Narthex.

Finally, and especially, please be in prayer for the children and families who will participate, and for theteachers and volunteers who are working tirelessly so that Christ will be shared with those who come . “Hewho has the Son has life…” 1 John 5:12

Joyfully,

Benae DuffDirector of Children’s Ministries

LSI Global Greens Farmers’MarketIf you love local produce, meetingpeople from different countries orknowing your purchases make a dif-ference, then the LSI Farmers’ Mar-ket is for you. The market vendors areformer refugees who are reconnect-ing with the land. Your purchases helpthem build new lives in Iowa as yousupport their small businesses. Checkit out every Saturday from 10:30 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. during the months of Junethrough September at the LSI Refu-gee Connection Center, 3200 Univer-sity Avenue, Des Moines.

The ShepherdCommunication Organ of

Westkirk Presbyterian Church2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, Iowa 50322

Phone: 515/253-0330 e-mail: westkirk@westkirk.org

Managing Editor - Kelli MillerProofer - Myra Verros

Photographers - Brandon Mick, Donna NelsonContributing Editors

Sandy Champion, Benae Duff,Audrene Hansen,

Russ Harrison, Chuck Heitbrink, Beryl Irvine, Helen Main

Kelli Miller, Marillyn McCullochBrandon Mick, Michael Mudlaff,

Paul Nelson, Myra VerrosProduction Staff

Chuck Heitbrink, Becky & Bernie KoebernickFran Nugteren, Paul Olson, Barb Orend

Kathy Powers, Myra Verros

Staff of WestkirkPastor - Michael Mudlaff

Assistant Pastor - Brandon MickPastor for Congregational Care andSenior Adult Ministries - Paul NelsonOffice Coordinator - Suzette Carter

Director of Children’s Ministry - Benae DuffVocal Music Director - Jordan Pohlmann

Stephen LeadersKaren Breeding, Rick Eyerly,

Pastor Michael Mudlaff, Pastor Paul NelsonCustodian - Barbara McCargar

Communion StewardsKay Cunitz & Cynthia Fisher

Paul & Jeannie Havnen, Ron & Marilyn LongWedding Coordinator - Marilyn LongFlower Chairperson - Audrene Hansen

Office VolunteersJan Geisler, Sandy Champion, Becky Koebernick,

Barbara Orend, Don & Kathy Powers,Darlene Reighard,Bernie Koebernick

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDES MOINES IAPERMIT NO. 5083

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

2700 Colby Woods DriveUrbandale, Iowa 50322Phone: 515-253-0330Fax: 515-253-0596

Ju l y 2 0 1 4

VBS July 13-17