January 2006

Heartland Presbyterian Church is a Christ-centered community called to provide opportunities for creative and inclusive worship, spiritual growth, and service

Unity Worship Service, Annual Meeting, and Potluck Lunch

Come join us for a unified worship service, which includes our Annual Meeting, followed by lunch. Drinks will be provided and each family is invited to bring their own tableware and food to share.

During the service, we will celebrate God’s gifts to us with a report on our debt structure and financial outlook from our stewardship committee; we will celebrate the ministry of elders whose terms on our session have expired; our Nominating Committee will offer us a slate of new elders to elect for a three-year term on our church session, as well as a youth elder for a one year term and members for the 2006 nominating committee; and we will renew our covenant with our pastor by voting on a recommendation of his terms of call for 2006 from the Personnel Committee.

We will also receive a copy of a 10-year ministry vision that is being constructed, and each of us will have the opportunity to take part in the discussion surrounding it. This will be a very joyous celebration as we thank God for what we have received and look forward to where God is taking us.

CROSS Ministries

CROSS Ministries is a very active local mission of the Des Moines Presbytery located in Cottage Grove Presbyterian church. This group helps with the basic needs of families in the Des Moines area. In November they assisted 72 families representing 184 individuals. Assistance was given to them for rent and shelter, utilities, and also assistance including personal items, paper products, baby items, bus tokens, car gas, laundry vouchers, etc. Lines of people requesting assistance always exceed the capacity to offer help. Although they often run out of funds around the middle of the month, people are helped with items from the CROSS pantry, bus tokens, car gas and laundry vouchers. Roberta Victor, the Director of CROSS hears stories each day from people struggling to survive. Please keep CROSS Ministries and the people that they serve in your prayers.

"THE PRIME TIMERS"

The Prime Timers, formerly known as Heartland’s Mature Persons had a great Holiday potluck luncheon on December 7th at Bill and Harriet George’s home. A variety of great food was consumed by all. Mark and Melissa were able to join in the fun. After lunch we did lots of talking about various interests of those present.

We would certainly encourage any Prime Timers to join us at our next event to be held Wednesday January 25th. We will meet at "Bravo" in Jordan Creek Town Center for lunch at 1:00 p.m. Please read The "What's Happening" page in Sunday’s bulletin for further information.

Please call Melissa Schnucker or Harriet George if you have questions.

Notes from the Parish Care Committee

Did your commitment to exercise get reprioritized during the holidays? If you have been putting off physical activity recently, I encourage you to read the December 2005 issue of the Nutrition Action Health Letter which is published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Copies of the cover article, “While You Wait: The Cost of Inactivity,” are available at the Church on the Parish Care bulletin board. This article will inspire you to get moving because it explores ten ways in which inactivity can be harmful to your body.

Did you know that inactivity increases your chances of developing diabetes, cancer, dementia, heart disease, stroke, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, depression, obesity, and even the common cold? The health benefits from physical exercise are tremendous and are discussed in detail in the article. You do not have to spend a lot of money on health club fees, equipment, or clothing to be physically active. Do what you can and what you enjoy to get your body moving, stretching and even sweating (or at least glowing).

Make it your resolution this year to take care of your body. Rather than focusing on weight, focus your efforts on improving your overall health, cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and flexibility. Physical, mental and even spiritual well-being can be attained through a well balanced exercise program.

Christian Education

The Third Age College will restart on Wed. Jan. 11. These classes are for adults of all ages.

Youth
Jan. 8--7-12 grade --bowling
January 14--5-6 grade--Lock-in
January 11--Bread and Wine Factory--Starts back up

Planning Ahead

February 26--Jazz Sunday