A PUBLICATION OF THE GOOD NEWS PRESS

VOLUME XXXI NO. 6 ______ ________ June 2019

Laura Story’s life was nearly perfect. She recorded an album of songs she had written and her song Indescribable was recorded by popular Christian singer Chris Tomlin and went to the top of the charts. She had married her high school sweetheart, Martin Elvington. And they had moved to Atlanta so she could become the praise and worship leader at 4,000-member Perimeter Church.

There was one way to describe the life she and Martin were living…blessed.

Then life took a turn. In the midst of a wonderful, happy life, Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thankfully, the tumor was successfully removed, but then Martin contracted meningitis while in the hospital. There were numerous complications. He survived, but lives with significant disabilities. The “blessed” life didn’t seem so blessed any longer.

In the midst of this chaos, Laura was contacted by a record company to write a praise and worship album. This was the furthest thing from her mind. On her bad days, she wanted to curse God, not praise him. On her good days, she questioned why this had happened to her young husband. She declined the offer, but was challenged by the exec when he asked, “What if God is asking you to write worship songs in the midst of your trials?” After praying about it, she felt that God was leading her to do the album. The album won a Grammy. She continued to write and perform songs while she and Martin continued to experience challenges. Laura’s song, Blessings, came during this time of struggle.

Today Laura and Martin still live in Atlanta with their three children where she continues to write praise and worship songs and lead the music at Perimeter Church. She says, “We have been truly blessed out of a circumstance that at first didn’t seem like much of a blessing at all.”

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering And all the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear We cry in anger when we cannot feel you near We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love As if every promise from Your Word is not enough And all the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we’d have faith to believe

When friends betray us When darkness seems to win, we know The pain reminds this heart, That this is not, this is not our home… It’s not our home

What if my greatest disappointments, Or the aching of this life, Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy. What if trials of this life, The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise? “There is a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to judge God based on our circumstances, or whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God.”

Laura Story Elvington

The Community United Presbyterian Church

is dedicated to serving God

through Jesus Christ

and our community through

worship, fellowship, education and outreach. =============================================

PUBLISHED BY

Community United Presbyterian Church

315 N. Vine St., P. O. Box 903, Hartford, IA 50118

(515-989-3426)

Email: hartfordupc@gmail.com Web: www.hartfordupc.org

CUPC Wi-Fi Password: cupcguest

Prayer Email: cupcprayers@gmail.com CUPC Youth Group Email: CUPCyouth@gmail.com

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Administrative Assistant: Ann Polito

Interim Pastor: Rev. Kristin Pike_______________230-6511

revkristinpike@gmail.com

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Barb Mentzer_________________________________971-9775

Gloria Eckert_________________________________205-2619

MISSION COMMITTEE

Teresa McCuen_______________________________707-9184

Pam Knight__________________________________480-6107

PROPERTY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

Randy Nesler_______________989-0147 or 971-6151 (Bonnie)

Jim Richards_________________________________989-0080

CLERK of SESSION Ann Polito - 681-9519

Attendance

April 28 57

May 5 39

May 12 71

May 19 42

May 26 39

Ministries of Service-June Ushers

2 Dave & Debbie Walker

9 Janelle Watson

16 Albert & Sharon Allen

23 Roger Beaver

30 Jason & Rebecca Campbell

Greeters

2 Albert & Sharon Allen

9 Lindsey Clark

16 Michele Clarkson

23 Chuck & Gloria Eckert

30 Sophia Eckert

Fellowship

2 Michele Clarkson & Donna Hall

9 Allean DuShane & Ann Polito

16 Gloria Eckert & Heather Peacock

23 Sophia Eckert & Barb Mentzer

30 Eileen Hansen & Jamie Henrichs

Special Music

2 HYMN SING SUNDAY

9 COMMUNION

16 Hartford Trio

23 Vacation Bible School Music

30 Grace Smith

If you need to make changes, please find someone to trade with. Changes may be shared for the

bulletin by calling the church at 989-3426. Thank you!

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Vendor, craft, food, and garage sales

Lunch & Bake Sale at Masonic Lodge

Maps & public restrooms available

at Masonic Lodge

You are welcome and invited……

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019

Please celebrate this special day by

wearing RED to worship!

July Newsletter Deadline: June 15, 2019

Please forward items by email attachment to: hartfordupc@gmail.com.

Your help in observing these deadlines will be greatly appreciated!!

June 16, 2019 May God bless those who have stood

in the role of father.

DORCAS CIRCLE will meet on

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.

ADOPT the BULLETIN

BOARD

Thank you to the following people who have signed up to decorate the bulletin board in the front entryway of the church! June Kathy Rodman July Rebecca Campbell August Lori Hollingsworth & Debbie Walker THANK YOU to everyone who has volunteered to help with this “creative” ministry of the church! We will all be looking forward to seeing what you design in 2019!

Prayer Group Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. CUPC Reflection Room

We have room for YOU!

When: 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Where: CUPC Fellowship Hall

Visit with friends… Bring a snack to share…

Enjoy a game of cribbage…

If you are 55 years or over, you are invited to join the fun!

If you have any questions, call Bill or Caroline McNamar 989-0149.

Spring is here and the grass is growing…

This mowing season the church has contracted to have the church yard treated regularly and mowed on a weekly basis. If you are interested in specifically helping support this expense, you may make a financial gift to help by making note with your monetary gift. Your support will be GREATLY appreciated!

CUPC Property & Finance Committee

REQUEST If anyone should notice church property that is in need of repair or replacement, please contact a member of the CUPC Property and Finance Committee with this important information. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Randy Nesler, Chairperson Jim Richards, Vice-chairperson

CUPC GIVING TREE PROJECT

Thank you to those who have provided items through the “giving tree” project! So far, the items received are: hand sanitizer, tissues, forever and postcard

stamps for the card ministry, and gift cards to McDonalds. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! All committees, organizations, groups of the church may still submit needs of the group to the church office to be added to the list. Items requested can be anything! See a need and share it!

Let’s see how we can help by giving!

If you have completed 9th grade or above and would like to join the VBS volunteer team and help put together the events for this fun filled week, please contact Heather Peacock. Please note: All volunteers working with children and youth for Summer Munch Bunch or Vacation Bible School must complete volunteer paperwork. Please contact Ann Polito if you have not already filled out the paperwork and want to help!

Check out these summer camping options!

For information on scholarship assistance through CUPC, please contact:

Barb Mentzer OR Gloria Eckert

515-971-9775 515-205-2619

Saluting those who are Serving with Pride

Marty Baumhover

Bradley Burrell

Hunter Carter

Brian Casson

Travis Cernetisch

Sam Clark

Justin Cochran

Christian Coleman

Elijah Conrey

Chuck Covell

Bobby DuBois

Christian Duncan

Seth Durham

Jesse Frederick

Chad Follis

José Carlos Garcia, Sr.

Mark Eddy

Jonathan Hicks

Darcy “Doc” Hommer

Nick Johnson

Justin Jones

Tanner Jors

Kerry Kuhn

Neil Langgaard

Adam Lawrence

Rich Lawrence, Jr.

Michael Love

John Malone

Brandon McCaughey

Jeromy McGee

Mike McGough

Scarlett Merrifield

Trenton Merrifield

Turner Merrifield

Justin Mills

Eric Morrow

Jared Newman

Claytin Piatt

Jeff Reed

Raymond Reed

Mark Roach

Allyson Scott

Joel Sheats

Tyler Simmons

Adam Snook

Jacob Sperr

James Sperr

Tommy Thompson

Nick Vanderpool

Emma Wachal

Trey Wickland

Rush Wyckoff

Please lift these military men and women and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Let there be Peace on Earth

And let it begin with me.

Please remember those currently deployed or stationed overseas:

Sam Clark

Please also remember to pray for their families for the sacrifice they make while

their loved one is serving our country.

Elijah Conrey returned from his overseas station in Japan and is now serving at his new duty station in Colorado.

Jesse Frederick returned from his deployment to Korea, Japan & Guam and is now stationed in California.

Kerry Kuhn returned from her overseas station in Japan and is now serving at her new duty station in California.

Thank you for your service to our country!

2019 CUPC Faith Scholarship

Recipient Announced

Lindsey Clark, Gabrielle Edenburn, & Ann Polito

(left to right)

With Session’s approval, the CUPC Scholarship Committee was pleased to announce and present the CUPC Faith Scholarships on Sunday, May 12, 2019, to one individual who has made faithful contributions to the ministries of our church.

Gabrielle Edenburn has been a part of CUPC since she was 6 years old. She has been involved in youth programs, such as Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Gabby has volunteered for church by helping in the nursery, assisting with Vacation Bible School and Summer Munch Bunch as well as serving at the Sr. Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner.

Gabby—It is with true joy that your church family recognizes your faithful contributions to the ministries of this church and beyond. We thank you for giving of your time and talents to God’s work in this community of faith, we will look forward to hearing about your life experiences, and we encourage you to continue to live out your faith wherever God may lead you.

CUPC Class of 2019 Honored

Esmeralda Tejeda, Seth Curry, Andrew Nelson, Gabrielle Edenburn, Brook

Moulton, Jakob Van Dam, & Isaiah Henrichs (left to right)

CUPC celebrated Graduation Sunday on May 12, 2019, with 7 soon-to-be graduates present. The honorees and their families were invited to a breakfast held prior to the worship service.

During the worship service, each individual introduced themselves and shared what their future plans were. Each was presented with a book to express the church’s congratulations on their upcoming graduation. Rev. Kristin Pike offered a blessing upon the group as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

CONGRATULATIONS, Class of 2019! May God bless your life with success!

Curry awarded $ for Scholars CUPC Endowment Scholarship

Robyn Witte, Loreesa Curry, Rebecca Campbell, Seth Curry, Rev. Kristin Pike,

Jolene Wuebker, and Erika Shetterly (left to right)

Seth Curry, son of Clint & Loreesa Curry, was awarded the $ for Scholars CUPC Endowment Scholarship at the CHS Awards Night on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

The scholarship was presented by Rev. Kristin Pike and Seth’s four aunts…Robyn Witte, Rebecca Campbell, Erika Shetterly, and Jolene Wuebker.

Noisy Collection

Sunday, June 2, 2019

April Collection: (corrected) $ 208.44

May Collection: $ 152.90

2019 Collections: $ 988.67

Goal: $1800.00

Let’s have some fun, make some noise, and

support the mission of the church!

The Noisy Collection is received on the 1st

Sunday of

each month—to benefit our General Mission Pledge.

Outreach numbers for April:

• 89 cards sent

• 174 contacts made (calls, emails, texts)

• 6 foods shared (meals, treats, etc.)

• 12 visits made

• 1 popcorn to worship visitors

Please contact Eileen Hansen (515-402-1460) to share any outreach efforts so they

may be included in the monthly report! Thank you!!

Thanks to everyone for your part in

taking care of one another.

Food Pantry Sunday

June 30, 2019

Suggested Items for June: Graham Crackers

Hair Conditioner

Hair Shampoo

Jam/Jelly

Jell-O

Thank you for contributing 72 items in April!

The goal set for 2019 is 1000 items!

The CCA Food Pantry is located at

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

1100 Market Street

Carlisle, Iowa

The pantry is open to serve families in the Carlisle

School District on the 2nd

& 4th

Tuesdays of each month

from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Thank You Thank you to everyone who contributed to One Great Hour of Sharing through Gracie’s Bake Sale, the Gracie Fish Banks, and/or the OGHS envelopes. Your gifts will make a difference. The amount received was $629.83 + $150.00 for purchases from the PCUSA Giving Catalog! The items selected were: a family of chickens, a piglet, farming tools, a water filter, & a kitchen kit.

Thank you for your generosity!

CUPC will receive and bless the Pentecost

Offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 9!

The Pentecost Offering helps our youth begin a life

with a strong start--a solid foundation of faith formed

in the years from childhood through young adulthood.

• 40% stays at CUPC to develop and support

programs for young people in our own church

and community.

• 25% supports Young Adult Volunteers serving

in communities around the world, and growing

as leaders through transformative Christian

service.

• 25% supports Ministries with Youth to help

guide our youth by uniting them in Christ and

lifting them up as leaders and messengers of

God’s word.

• 10% is devoted to children at-risk to improve

education and provide safe havens.

Our congregation is joining the whole church in

building for our future, in building individual lives of

faith.

IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT.

Have you tried Don Justo Coffee? Don Justo Coffee with Dignity is the coffee project that was started in 2002 for the sole purpose of generating funds for the Our Sister Parish mission of the Presbytery of Des Moines in Berlín, Usulután, El Salvador. When you purchase this coffee YOU are part of that ministry!

If you would like to place an order, please contact Ann Polito in the church office!

BLUE SHIRT SUNDAY is June 16, 2019!

Time to put on your BLUE SHIRT for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance! Gifts may be made through CUPC for any of these projects!

The Mission & Outreach Committee is looking for assistance in organizing the Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner coming in November. If you are in the “under 60” population, please consider helping in this way and contact Teresa McCuen or Pam Knight to offer your help!

A Prayer of Sympathy and Faith

for the family and friends of:

Ron Dennis

Dean Downing

Stan Faller

John Herron

Hillary Holman

Marie Kirby

Bill Lingle

Miles Ohnemus

Jean Schrunk

Gary Wilkinson

In the love of God,

may you find strength and peace.

In the prayers of friends,

may you find comfort and love.

CUPC has TWO Email Addresses

Please make note that CUPC has two email addresses:

hartfordupc@gmail.com This address is used for church announcements, newsletter,

and general information.

cupcprayers@gmail.com This address is used for prayer requests.

If you would like to be added to either or BOTH of these email groups, please send an email making that request.

Splinters from the Board

Splinters from the Board – May 20, 2019

A summary of the meeting follows:

• Announced Blue Shirt Sunday for Presbyterian

Disaster Assistance will be observed on June

16 with offering being received on June 16 &

23

• Announced Red Shirt Sunday will be observed

on June 9 for Pentecost

• Approved ¾-time pastor with part-time

administrative assistant model for CUPC based

on Session meeting discussion and straw poll

results at congregational gathering

• Approved walker donation

• Confirmed email approval: Church Usage:

o Allean DuShane—Baby Shower on

May 10

o Hartford Alumni Association—Alumni

Reunion on June 1

o Rebecca Campbell—Family Dinner on

May 12

• Received report of Interim Pastor from April 23

through May 20

• Reported 19 college care packages

sent/delivered

• Reported 25 local seniors invited to Graduation

Sunday with reservations from 7

• Reported a gift card will be given for lawn

mowing being done for a church member

• Reported average attendance for April was 60

• Reported Bible marker project complete

• Reported bulletin board schedule for 2019 is

complete

• Reported CCA Food Pantry items received in

April was 72

• Reported CCLI Copyright License has been

renewed through 4/30/19

• Reported Communion served to 56 of 60

present on April 14 (Palm Sunday) and 34 of

34 present on April 18 (Maundy Thursday)

• Reported discussion of CUPC representation

from Mission/Outreach & Christian Ed

committees at Freedom for Youth event on

June 6

• Reported electrical issue in restrooms in west

fellowship hall have been resolved

• Reported Gloria Eckert & Barb Mentzer are

being trained for soundroom duties with

Danika Mentzer assisting

• Reported ites received through CUPC Giving

Tree project

• Reported Lent/Holy Week wrap up information

• Reported no military care packages sent due to

military personnel serving on US soil

• Reported Noisy Collection for April was

$208.44 (corrected amount) and $152.90 for

May

• Reported OGHS Offering received was

$629.83 (including $240.00 from Gracie’s

Bake Sale

• Reported Outreach for April: 89 cards, 174

contacts, 6 food, 12 visits & 1 popcorn to

visitor

• Reported PCUSA Giving Catalog purchases of

$150.00 have been selected

• Reported voting membership of 90 and

associate membership of 219

• Rescheduled June Session meeting to June 24

and cancelled July Session meeting

April, 2019

Income 14,600.88$

Expenses 9,141.22$

Account Balances

60 Month CD 2,692.86$

Bracy H Hammond Youth Fund 2,329.71$

General Fund 6,650.50$

JAM Session 1,067.44$

Memorial Fund* 5,801.74$

Savings-General 25,490.80$

Scholarship Fund* 7,731.95$

Youth Fund* 633.28$

*Included in Savings-General

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 24,

2019, at 6:30 p.m.

June 2019 Elder of the Month: Pam Knight

June 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

* Committee Meetings

10:30 a.m. Mission/Outreach Comm Mtg (Fellowship Hall)

Property/Finance Comm Mtg (Fellowship Hall)

1

Reserved: Hartford Alumni Assn

1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

2

Noisy Collection

10:30 am PNC Meeting

3

4

2:00 pm Prayer Group

5

6

7 1:30pm Senior Citizens

8

9 *

Pentecost Communion

10

11

2:00 pm Prayer Group 6:30 pm SMB Meeting

12

13 6:30 pm WAC Meeting

14

15 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

16

17

Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.

18 2:00 pm Prayer Group

Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.

19 1:30 pm Dorcas Circle

Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.

20

Vacation Bible School 6 – 8 p.m.

21 1:30pm Senior Citizens

22

23

24 6:30 pm Session Mtg

25

2:00 pm Prayer Group

26 12:00 – 2:00 pm

SUMMER MUNCH BUNCH

27

28

29

30 Food Pantry Sunday

Sunday Worship Schedule: Worship at 9:00a ~~ Fellowship at 10:00am

COMMUNITY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 903 Hartford, IA 50118

Please join us for…

CAMP JESUS- Finding Our Way in the Wilderness!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 17 - 20, 2019

JANUARY JUNE

1 Raylan Johannes; Rowan Johannes; Jeff Menke

2 Uriah Breuklander; Matthew Edwards; Pat Griffin;

Caroline McNamar; Debbie Walker

3 Michelle Oakley; Michael Shetterly

Chris & Megan Walker, Anniversary

4 Pat & Deb Griffin, Anniversary

Lewey & Ann Polito, Anniversary

6 Zachary DuShane; Ron Smith

7 Seth Curry; Marlie Frederick; Mary Kate Wilkson

8 Malik Abalo; Hayden Barton; Jonathan Rutledge

Stanley & Liz Overstake, Anniversary

10 John Marco

11 Tracy Arpy; Madonna Jack; Scott Robinson; Ruth Willis

12 Doug Buchanan; Donald Wiley

Ryan & Brianne Sears, Anniversary

13 Aurora Lamb; Tyler & Cheyanne Prall, Anniversary

14 Dennis Buchanan; Kendra Pedicini

Denny & Michelle Oakley, Anniversary

15 Lisa Shelton-Smith; Brian & Karen Black, Anniversary

17 Trenton Noble; Ann Polito; Bryan Rawson

19 Sean Rodman; Christopher Walker

21 Ashley Booker; Mark Goldsberry; Traci McCaughey

Garth Oakley; Lewey Polito; Ruth Thornburg

22 Brandon Beckmann; Jennifer Blackmon; Heather Tucker

23 Danyel Drake; Josh Edenburn; Morgan Edenburn

Cord Erickson

24 Mick & Leah Sheehey, Anniversary

25 Paul Hansen; Steve Maxwell, Jr.; Brad Witte

26 Lonnie Goode

27 Zachary VanSickle

28 Sharon Allen; Daphne Hayes-Mentzer

29 Natalie Broich; Rick Marble; Jeff Rodman

30 Leah Drake; Dennis & Kim Duncan, Anniversary

Larry & Dora McCaughey, Anniversary

Please contact Ann Polito at 681-9519 with birthdays or anniversaries to add or correct.

Thank you.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES