The BELL

A Future With Hope – “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)  Aren’t these some of the very words we need to hear right now?  And aren’t these some of the very words we need to share right now?  God speaks to us from the words of the    Bible-to our whole world, our state and each one of us.  Every day there are glimpses of this hope and future.  Can you perceive it?

As we wait, perhaps reading Psalm 27 and Psalm 130 might be meaningful.

Pastor Lee Webb

Vacation Bible School 

Wednesday, July 28th 

From 1:00-5:00 PM

(With supper to follow)

More info to come soon!

Trustees Update

Volunteers Needed!

Please note Amy will be on vacation Friday, July 23rd-Thursday, July 29th and will return to the office on Friday, July 30th.  Volunteers are needed to staff the office and answer phones during this time.  Please call or email the office to volunteer for a shift.  An hour or two here or there would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you in advance!

Missions Update:

Nothing But Nets!

About the Campaign: 

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funding to combat malaria, one of the largest killers of children in Africa. With a $10 contribution, Nothing But Nets provides individuals the opportunity to join the global fight against malaria by sending a net and saving a life. 

How it Works:

Nothing But Nets is powered by your passion; it works because you do! Create a community for your church, school, team, or family and friends. Together, you can spread the word, raise funds, and share your stories.

Every $10 contribution to Nothing But Nets covers the cost of purchasing a long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net, distributing it, and educating communities on its use. Nothing But Nets leverages the existing health delivery platform of the Measles Initiative – a partnership of the American Red Cross, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the UN Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Measles Initiative has successfully reduced measles cases by 89 percent in Africa since 2000, as well as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and   faith-based partners to distribute bed nets along with other much needed health interventions.

So, please do what you can—$10 really makes a   difference!

Trinity Meals – we will be serving on July 3rd.  The plans are to make a picnic supper with hamburgers and hot dogs!  If you would like to come help fix and or serve, contact Kathy Hatfield at 244-6486.  We can also use donations for meal costs. If you would like to contribute to this important ministry, indicate Trinity dinners on your check/donation envelope.  Thank you for your support of this great ministry!

Bring in donations of school supplies for the Back to School Party

(no backpacks please!)

Bring in donations of non-perishable food items to help fill the food wagon.

Volunteer to help with Meal at Trinity on July 3rd or make a financial donation!

Make a donation to Nothing But Nets by indicating that on your check/envelope.

Volunteer to help with Vacation Bible School on Wednesday, July 28th.

Thank you in advance!

Evangelism Update

Be sure to mark your calendars for these events:

Union Park United Methodist Church will host their second  National Night Out on Tuesday, August 3rd from 6 PM-8 PM. There will be popcorn, food, music, watermelon, and games for the children.  National Night Out is America’s night out against crime.

The Before School Party will be Saturday, August 14th. Like last year we will start at Noon with food available and volunteers ready to handout school  supplies.  We  have an ample supply of backpacks available this year. All other donations of various school supplies will be greatly appreciated, as well as, cash contributions. 

Meet Joyce Webb

Hello,

I would like to introduce myself to the Union Park congregation. My name is Joyce Webb (no relation to Pastor Lee) and I will be serving as a ministry   intern at UPUMC for the next several months. I am a 4th year seminary student at St. Paul School of Theology, in Kansas City. My husband Rich and I have been married for 30 years and have two children. Our daughter Jessica teaches high school history in the Johnston School District and our son Alex is a junior at the University of Iowa.

Joyce Webb

"And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM who have been called according to HIS purpose."—Romans 8:28

CCC Update

The Camping Conservation Club will host a CPR/First Aid Training on Saturday, July 17th from 8 AM-4 PM and Sunday, July 18th from 12 PM-8 PM. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board.  There will be a minimal cost.  If you have questions, please see Jim Kerner or Steve Weinheimer.

Methodist Connection—

At the 2010 Iowa Annual Conference, the following donations were collected to make a lasting impact:  

350+ pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House

4 HUGE paper grocery bags of Campbell’s labels and box tops for Bidwell Riverside

300+ pairs of new underwear for the Women at the Well for the “Stepping Out of the Closet”

406 cell phones and accessories for domestic    violence shelters

386 pairs of eyeglasses for LensCrafters and the Lions Club to refit and distribute

45 clean white cotton sheets for Rolling Bandages for Global Health Services in Minneapolis to be rolled this summer by local volunteers

$78 in $1 donations for toothpaste for Ingathering

$124.78 collected in pocket change for the Iowa Food Bank

62 sets of two diaper pins for Ingathering kits.

Methodists making a difference!

Did you know?  Every Thursday, volunteers from Union Park head up to the park just after lunch (which is served by Des Moines Public Schools) to hand out ice cream!  The kids get very excited to see the bus coming down the street and race to form a line!  There were 130 takers on the first visit and 189 on the second! What a great success!

In these troubled times, it is especially imperative that we understand our neighbors.  The following books are available in the church library.  Please stop in and browse our huge selection!

Allah, the God of Islam: Moslem Life and Worship by Florence Mary Fitch (Y297 Fi)

Summary: Muslims are being pulled in two directions—fanaticism or moderation.  At the same time the Christian church must go beyond mere     tolerance to a passion for Muslims.  He explains how that can be done in ways that are sensitive to Islamic culture. (261.2 Ja)

Jesus on the 4th of July

We gather ‘round to celebrate

On Independence Day

Pay homage to our country

As the children run and play.

With barbecues and picnics

And fireworks in the air

The flag we own is proudly flown

To show how much we care.

The stars and stripes spell freedom

She waves upon the breeze

While bursts of colors can be seen

Above the towering trees.

This is all quite wonderful

We revel in delight

But God above in divine love

Has brought this day to light.

With just a stroke of liberty

A touch of His great hand

He gave democracy to us

And helped this country stand.

The stripes upon our stately flag

Were touched by His sweet grace

Each star of white that shines so bright

Reflects His loving face.

So as you turn to face the flag

For battles that were fought

Be filled with pride for those who died

And freedoms that were bought. 

But don’t forget to thank the One

That gives the bright display

The reason why we paint the sky

On Independence Day 

Copyright © Marilyn Ferguson 2003

True Freedom

A Devotion by Cathy Irvin

“Have you thought about the American flag and all that it stands for? It represents an emblem of the greatest nation on the earth. It has been carried through centuries in battle. It is placed on the graves of our honored dead who fought for the right for us to remain a free nation, and it flies high during peace times, as well as war.  “Old Glory” is its name.

“There is another real freedom we can have. We can    display it every day of the year, and that is our freedom “In Christ” to live a life to glorify Him, so that His banner of love, truth, and peace can be seen by all.   It is a flag flown high in the castle of my heart (taken from a song). 

“We can be free in our spirit to serve the Creator of the whole universe and that my friends, is True    Freedom.   Romans 8:2 says,  "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death." (ASV)

“Just like the flag that represents freedom, Jesus is a banner over us, protecting and shielding us. He is the “Glory and the Lifter of our heads” at all times. Let freedom ring out in your heart today. 

Psalm 3:3 reads, ‘But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.’” (KJV)

Lectionary Readings for Personal Study

2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30

Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82

Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37

Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 or 82

Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42

Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85

Colossians 2:6-15(16-19) Luke 11:1-13

Special Thanks~

Dear Union Park UMC,

We thank you so much for the nice contribution of material to make quilts for the homeless.  We make close to 2,500 quilts a year, so need lots of material.  We only operate with donations as we do not buy any material.

Sincerely, My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Group

Dear Union Park U.M.W.,

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for your generosity on the evening of your Mother/Daughter banquet.  I enjoyed spending time with your group, seeing all the unique purses on display, and being able to provide your program for the evening.  I appreciated the meal you provided, and the monetary gift that covered my auto gas costs to and from Des Moines.  It is always fun to come back to "the old stomping grounds" and share memories of good times growing up there.

Thanks again, Penny Brower

Dear UMW,

I appreciated being a part of the Mother Daughter Banquet. The tables were lovely, food was delicious, and thanks for providing the meal. It was fun helping Penny put the proper items in the correct place in her huge purse, and we both enjoyed the evening very much. From my "PURSEspective" this church family is precious.

In appreciation, Nita Brower

A great way to stay on top of the most current events and weekly happenings is to sign up for the weekly email by request at unionparkumc@msn.com!

July Birthdays

Lawrence Birkenholz 7/2

Anna Weinheimer 7/2

Robert Fuller 7/3

Barbara Musgrave 7/4

Cathy Broadston 7/4

Scott Weinheimer 7/7

Betty Erickson 7/8

Ken Couchman 7/9

Margaret Myers 7/9

Lou Jean Evans 7/11

Melissa Allen 7/11

Alyce Wallace 7/12

Calleen Kerner 7/12

Raymond Morris 7/14

Larry Bailey 7/15

Janice Madden 7/16

Boneta Brown 7/18

Judy Davidson 7/18

Sabra Hess 7/18

LuVerne Zoss 7/19

Connie Michael 7/19

Dwayne Feight 7/21

Shauna Wilson 7/24

Carly Clement 7/25

Scott Handley 7/26

Heather Clement 7/28

Bailey Purdy 7/29

July Anniversaries

Jeff & Anna Kodis 07/10/1999

Jan & Al Birkinbine 07/12/1964

Brad & Kris Barkley 07/21/1984

Robert Jr. & Barbara Brekke 07/24/1987

Richard & Karna Leonard 07/28/1963

**SPECIAL EVENTS**

Got corrections?  Please notify the office at 262-2875 or unionparkumc@msn.com. Thanks!