the text Ankeny UCC surmounted by a rainbow comma in a circle of words that says A Welcoming Church Family Exploring Progressive Christian Theology Caring Within and Serving Beyond

Sunday Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Hymns: #211 (black) Lord Jesus, Who through Forty Days, #460 (black) Be Not Dismayed (God Will Take Care of You)

This week’s sermon: The Devil Must Leave–Angels Must Come!

It's the Wednesday Email!

Dear Church-

Ash Wednesday activities this evening are cancelled due to weather uncertainties. This includes choir rehearsal. We are currently planning to include the Imposition of Ashes in the Sunday service with the Pancake Breakfast held after. I will have more information in the Saturday email.

The Search and Call Committee are preparing the materials they will need to select candidates now that the Church Profile has been posted.

The new copier was installed in the office this morning. I have been assured that it will seem very similar to using the previous one; I will be very pleasantly surprised if this is, in fact, true. If you have issues, let me know.

If you have not already done so, please update your information in the Instant Church Directory—the link is below. Please contact me if you are unable to access the directory, and I will update your information.

This will be the final week for the weekly coin collection to go to the Ankeny Ministerial Association Travelers Fund, which seems appropriate as we watch another ice/snow storm moving into the area.

Grace and Peace,
Linda

Sunday, February 26: 9:15am K-5 Sunday School
10:30am Worship
11:50am 6-9 Sunday School (Porch Light)
Monday, February 27: 6:30pm Council
Tuesday, February 28 1:00pm Book Club

Wednesday, March 1: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, March 5: 9:15am K-5 Sunday School
10:30am Worship
11:50am 6-9 Sunday School (Porch Light)

A Welcoming Church Family

Continuing Prayers

For Laura and Bruce. For Jane Underwood. For Misty, Nick, and Aggie. For Trina, Tom, Maddy, Dillon, and Nick, and their family. For Marie. For Paige. For Jeanette. For the search and call committee as the church profile has been posted and we all await hearing from interested applicants. For the tens of thousands of victims and survivors of the catastrophic earthquake along the borders of Turkey and Syria. For the Food Bank of Iowa to amend its policies depriving DMARC of its food. For travelers. For Shannon and those who loved her, especially Janet and Paul. For families mourning and premourning. For the at least 2838 people who died of COVID in America last week.

Caring Within

Prayers

We will continue with impromptu congregational prayer each Sunday. In addition, you can send prayer requests to deacons@ankenyucc.org, leave a message with the office, or place a note in the collection basket.

Pulpit Supply Schedule

February 26 - John Chaplin
March 5 - John Chaplin
March 12 - Sarah Trone Garriott
March 19 - John Chaplin
March 26 - Sarah Trone Garriott

Instant Church Directory Updates

Please take a few minutes to log on to the Instant Church Directory to update changes in your life over the past year https://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/.

Journey Through Grief, Six-Session Educational Grief Group

Grieving the loss of a loved one changes our reality of navigating each day. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has partnered with UnityPoint to offer Journey Through Grief, a 6-session educational support group for those dealing with the loss of a loved one. The group will be led by UnityPoint Hospice Bereavement Counselor Anne Alesch and will meet at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 SW Des Moines Street at 6:00 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, March-August. For registration and questions contact, Anne Alesch, Bereavement Counselor, anne.alesch@unitypoint.org or call (515) 782-6149.

Support Group Dates & Topics:

March 21: What is Grief? How Long Does it Last?
April 18: Why Did This Happen to Me? Where is God?
May 16: Families and Diverse Methods for Coping
June 20: Engaging with Others
July 18: Maintaining a Connection
August 15: Hope

And Serving Beyond

Uplift Study Participation

Polk County Health Department Announcement—Uplift (The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot) has created a study to learn about the impacts of an unrestricted no-strings-attached, basic income for 24 months. People who are selected are free to use the money however they need. Interested applicants can apply between February 17 - 27. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria. To apply and view eligibility criteria, visit: https://upliftiowa.org/ You could be selected to receive $500 a month, no strings attached.

Weekly Coin Collection

Ankeny Ministerial Association Travelers Fund is the designated group to receive our coin offerings for February. This fund is administered by the Ankeny Police Department and provides necessary money for people traveling through Ankeny. The fund helps pay for things such as gas or paying for a hotel room for one or a few nights in extreme weather.

white comma superimposed over rainbow circle next to text "United Church of Christ a just world for all"

Ankeny UCC Is….

A welcoming church family exploring progressive Christian theology, caring within and serving beyond. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, come walk with us!

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