Good News of
Central Christian Church
The
March, 2015
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
From Pastor Sheldon
As the words fall onto the computer screen I can hardly believe that I am
sitting at a different desk, in a different church, and in a different town. It seems only like yesterday that I
started down this path of ministry and that was over 15 years ago! My ministry has seen my presence within
three different congregations and working within three different denominations - but now I am here at Central
Christian Church in Jefferson IA. It’s great to be back, once again, in a Disciples Church.
There is a reason that I find myself in your presence- a reason that will present itself very soon. Already
I have preached my first sermon with you about the expectations that Jesus had with his first disciples. I have
already officiated my first funeral at Central for a saint of Jefferson, Verle Bennett. I have met with people,
worked alongside Melody in the office, have rolled around on the basement floor with the youth, and
participated in Central’s Ash Wednesday service. Yesterday is already turning into ministry. I am called by God
and I am now serving you and the community of Jefferson.
My calling is a little different this time. My calling is for a short period of time as Central Christian’s
part time interim minister. Let’s unpack that sentence and flesh out what is really being said- there is a lot of
information hiding in the margins.
I am called to be your part time interim minister. When I am not in Jefferson I work over 40 hours at a
family run towing business near Waukee IA. I am contracted with Central Christian to be with all of you
Sundays, Wednesdays, and most of Thursdays. Sometimes that schedule will fluctuate and you will likely see
me at board meetings, elder meetings, funerals, weddings, town events, and other significant times in the life of
this community of faith. Key words here are part time, interim, and minister.
As your minister I want to get to know all of you and your stories of how you came to know Jesus
Christ. As your minister I want to be there with all of you as we celebrate a risen Savior every day. As your
minister I want to help you get to know God in new and exciting ways, understand scripture and how it relates
to your life, and just have good Christian fun!
As part time I will not be available to run to Jefferson just to unlock doors, turn off lights, or run copies.
Emails to me on my days away may take a few hours to get a response and if you call my cell phone during my
time away you may get a greeting of “Heartland Towing, this is Sheldon”. I will make every attempt to be
available, it just make take a little longer.
As your interim I will be asking hard questions about our relationships with each other, crunching the
budget numbers, and digging deep into different ministries. As your interim I will work with leaders and
congregation members to uncover what God wants from Central Christian in the next few years. As your
interim I will be looking into every detail of Central’s faith community life with a keen sense of awareness. As
your interim my time and ministry with you will end when your next settled pastor is called.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
I have quoted these words from the contemporary song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns, may they
explain a little more about my calling and who we are.
“I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow. A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor on the wind.
Still you hear me when I’m calling, Lord you catch me when I’m falling, and you’ve told me who I am….. I am
yours… I am yours.”
Seems like it was only yesterday when I came to know Jesus Christ, was called into ministry, and now
today -serving all of you as your minister. God is great!
Shalom,
Pastor Sheldon
Mar. 1
Mar. 8
Mar. 15
Mar. 22
Mar. 29
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Mark 11:1-11
John 12:12-16
Lent Lunches are served at 11:45 a.m. with a worship service
at 12:15 at the following churches:
March 4: Trinity Lutheran Church
March 11: Christ Lutheran Church (hosting at First United
Methodist Church)
March 18: First Presbyterian Church
March 25: First United Methodist Church
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
The Christian Education Committee is offering
two new Sunday School classes!
Children Ages 4 thru Middle School are
invited to learn about the Armor of God! The
class will meet for 10 Sundays 9:15-10:15 a.m.
beginning on March 8th.
Pastor Sheldon will lead a new adult class
beginning March 8 also!
The adult Keystone class will continue to meet Sunday Mornings at 9:15 a.m.
Miracles and Meals are doing a Scentsy fundraiser to raise
money for the kids to attend summer camp this summer
starting now through March 11th. If you would like to help out
and make a purchase or would like more information please
see one of our Miracles' children, Heather Kinsey or Bonnie
Silbaugh. There are also some 2015 wall and pocket calendars
left to purchase at a discounted price. Thank you for your
support of our church's youth.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
Chicken & Noodle and Mashed Potato Dinner
And Bake Sale!
March 22 after Worship
This is a fundraiser to raise funds to send
children to camp!
Free Will Donation
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Bible Study at Long Term Care
Be a part of the Re-Entry Team
Habitat for Humanity Representative
Food Pantry Representative
Christian Education Committee
Visitation of our Members
Please prayerfully consider these options and let Nick Foster or Mark Rasmussen
know where you can serve!
Central Christian volunteers at the Webb House Friday nights in March. See
Mark Rasmussen to sign up!
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
Central Christian Church
Board Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2015
Central Christian Church Board met on February 17th at 7:00 p.m. with 15 members and 2 non-members
present. Chairman Jane Nelson called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Financial report was presented. Jane reminded the
group that due to the “snow-Sunday” when we did not have worship service, extra giving will be needed to
make up for no offering on that day.
Church statistics presented by written report were:
 Deaths – George Mentzer (husband of Jacqui Mentzer) passed away on January 2, 2015.
 Helen Nelson passed away on January 18, 2015
Outreach Committee submitted written report – Set up people to serve on “Meals-on-Wheels” for February.
Plans are being made to assist at Webb House in March.
Unfinished business:
 Jane read resignation letter submitted by Carla Offenburger stating her intentions to resign as financial
secretary. Joeline Carstensen has agreed to fill that position until June 2015. Motion made by Mark
Rasmussen and 2nd by Jerald Deal to accept this resignation and appointment. Motion passed.
 Jane Nelson requested board motion to add Mavis Sawhill to the Design Team. Motion was made by
David Rasmussen and 2nd by Roberta Henning. Motion passed.
New Business:
 Ann Frederick suggested a church cleaning and care day(s). This would involve cleaning out closets
and storage areas, sorting and organizing, disposing of items no longer needed or used, repairing those
that need repairing, etc. Ann has agreed to organize this activity and work on setting up work times
and dates to meet individual needs.
 Christian Education committee reported on a schedule change Miracles activities and meals times on
Wednesday evenings. They are working on fundraisers ideas and activities to raise money for summer
camp fees and perhaps mission trips. They are also working on increasing Sunday school classes.
 Search and Call committee chair, Laura Dowd, introduced the committee choice for interim pastor,
Sheldon Dean Henderson. She shared some bio info, approximate hours per week and work schedule
and salary package. She then made motion to accept this candidate – 2nd by Linda Hall. Motion passed
 Pastor Sheldon then introduced himself to the church board, gave additional background information
and entertained questions and conversation from board members.
Calendar planning: Jane highlighted a couple February dates - * Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 18 at 7:00
p.m. - * Pot Luck lunch next Sunday as Pastor Sheldon begins his service with our church.
March calendar was examined. Miracle pot luck suppers scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month was
removed – will no longer have these suppers. A “chicken-noodle” lunch following morning worship on March
22 will be accepting free will offering to go toward camp funds. More information on this lunch will follow.
Joys and Concerns:
 Jane expressed thanks to all who have stepped up to help in various ways in the absence of a pastor.
 Herma Parr is getting along well following her surgeries.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
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Mavis Sawhill in progressing following surgery on her wrist.
Verle Bennett passed away last night – February 16, 2015.
Alva Millard had a heart attack and is still in Methodist Hospital room #365. He can receive phone calls
on his cell - #370-1753.
Dean Perry is struggling with depression following Marjorie’s death and would greatly appreciate calls
and visits.
Closing prayer was offered by elder, Jerald Deal.
Minutes submitted by Jessie Custer,
Board Secretary
The kitchen is running low on plastic containers. Please save your butter,
cool whip, etc type containers with lids and leave them in the kitchen.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
March Birthdays
March Anniversaries
1 – Darlene Hoskins, Maurice Wistenberg
3 – Jody Orchard, Mason Kinsey
7 – Chris Orchard
16 – Brian Kinsey
18 – James Timmons
20 – Andrea Salvin
22 – Richard Sandage
23 – Meritza Paniagua
25 – Ann Frederick
28 – Peyton Kinsey, Ava Schilling
29 – Jill Zito
30 – Alva Millard
31 – James Joy
17 – Larry Dowd & Laura Helmus
21 – Randy & Cindy Monthei
January, 2015
Needed to meet monthly budget
Our average weekly offering for January
January Offerings
January Budgeted Expenses
$11,490.58 ($2,651.67 each week)
$ 1,666.89
$ 6,667.55
$ 8,173.89
January Average Worship Attendance – 61
January Average Christian Education Participation – 42
The complete financial statement is presented at board meetings and is available in the office.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
March Schedules
Ushers - Jessie Custer & Crystal Heard
Deacons – Nancy Winger, Mike Silbaugh, Nikki Uebel, Alex Rasmussen
Worship Leader
Elders
1 – Brooke Hayes
8 – Molly Hoskins
15 – Mark Rasmussen
22 – Larry Jordan
29 – Marcia Roeder
1 – Marcia Roeder & Larry Miller
8 – Jane Nelson & Lana Miller
15 – Mark Rasmussen & Jessie Custer
22 – Lana Miller & Bob Strong
29 – Dave Rasmussen & Joey Rasmussen
Communion will be served to our
shut-ins and homebound members
March 15th at 1:00 p.m.
Elders serving: Bob Strong, Marcia Roeder, & Jessie Custer
Please keep the following individuals and situations in your prayers.
Family of Verle Bennett, Jacob Bolby, Tammy Calvert, Norma Ferguson, Linda Foster,
Crystal Heard’s Mom Liz Crichton, Destiny Hofbauer, Alvie Millard, Kenny Millard, Dean Perry,
Kenny Russell, Richard Sandage, Mavis Sawhill, Colleen Wolf
Regency Park
Norma Dunivan
GCMC Long Term Care
Zelma Dyer
Duane & Maxine Dunlop
The Gardens
Dave Wolf
Phyllis McCollom
Shady Oaks in Lake City
Eleanor Hanen
Hearth Stone Memory Care Unit - Boone
Lois Olson
Central Christian Church
March, 2015
Central Christian Church
108 N. Elm Street
Jefferson, IA 50129
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 209
Jefferson, IA 50129
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
We are Disciples of Christ, a
Central Christian Church
Sunday School – 9:15 a.m
Sunday Worship Service – 10:30 a.m.
Phone ~ 386-4315 Fax ~ 386-4016
E-mail ~ jeffccc@netins.net
Web site: www.lovinggodlovingneighbor.org
Facebook: Central Christian Church-jefferson Ia
Office hours – Monday thru Friday: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Church Secretary ~ Melody Larsen
Minister of Music ~ Larry Dowd
Audio/Video team ~ Gary Hall, Tom Powers
Custodian ~ Kevin Hoskins
movement for wholeness in a
fragmented world. As part of the
one body of Christ, we welcome all to
the Lord’s Table as God has
welcomed us.
* Disciples of Christ Statement of Identity
The Good News of Central Christian Church is published monthly by Central Christian Church, 108 N. Elm Street, Jefferson, Iowa.
Articles may be submitted for publication consideration by the 15 th of each month. We may be reached at 386-4315 / Fax# 386-4016 /
email at jeffccc108@gmail.com.
Central Christian Church
March, 2015