From Pastor Lisa
As we begin this second month in our Cooperative Parish, I am looking back over our first month which was a busy one with back-to-back VBS beginning in Orion July 6th and ending in Alpha on July 18th…twelve days and/or nights of bringing the Good News of the Gospel to children of various ages. Thank you to all of those who worked tirelessly preparing for their VBS’s days and weeks in advance as well as serving, leading, and teaching throughout each session.
During our first month, there were also many meetings, events, and worship services to attend. I am grateful for each and every opportunity I have to interact with those who are members and leaders in the Alpha and Orion Churches as well as continue to be in ministry with those in the Cambridge Church. I continue to be excited about the future ministries, opportunities, and relationship building that are going to happen within our churches, our communities, and within each of us.
Together, God is calling us to do great things. I have no doubts that we are all going to see exactly how great our God is as He works through each of us to obediently answer every call so that we can transform our lives and others lives as we seek to do His will. In the next couple of weeks, watch for information about new Bible Studies that will begin in September for anyone interested.
You are all invited to the First 5th Saturday Swedish Saturday which will be a breakfast from 9:00-11:00am on each 5th Saturday of the year rotating to each church. The first one will be held at Alpha on Saturday, August 29th. Swedish pancakes will be offered. Please come and enjoy my favorite breakfast meal with me and enjoy fellowship with friends.
There are lots of fun events and wonderful opportunities for ministry happening in August, please place these things on your calendars:
August 1st Cambridge Rotary Car Show
August 6th Orion Thursday Meal & Worship 5:30pm & 6:30pm
Thursday Worship Services on August 13th, August 20th
And August 27th
August 9th Nursing Home/Assisted Living Communion Services-
Liberty Village 1:00pm/Hillcrest 2:00pm/Allure 3:00pm
August 15th Orion Gather & Grill 5:00pm (in the park)
August 16th Backpack Blessings at each church service
August 18th Cambridge/Orion FCA meetings 7:30am
August 22nd Devotion & Games at CUMC 5:00pm
(Anyone welcome to come for a fun evening)
August 22nd Trivia Night at Colona UMC (Time to be announced)
August 25th Cambridge/Orion FCA meeting 7:30am
August 29th First Swedish Saturday at Alpha UMC 9:00am
(All are invited to come for a Swedish Pancake breakfast)
August 29th Jeanette Ross’ 100th Birthday Celebration at Overlook
2:00-4:00pm
August 29th Alpha Lighted Parade
August 30th Chaddock Speaker for CUMC Worship Service
August 30th Jeanette Ross’ 100th Birthday Celebration at CUMC
After Worship 12:00-2:00pm
In Christ’s Love, Pastor Lisa
From Pastor Cody
A New Season of Growth
If you’ve spent any time around a farm or a garden, you know that every harvest begins with a season of planting. There is something exciting about turning over fresh soil, placing tiny seeds into the ground, and waiting with hopeful expectation for what God will bring forth. Every spring reminds us that God is always in the business of new beginnings.
As I begin this new journey with our parish family, I can’t help but think about those first days of planting. We may not yet see the full harvest that God has planned, but we can already rejoice in the opportunity to prepare the soil together. God has brought together the congregations of Cambridge, Orion, and Alpha for such a time as this, and I truly believe He has wonderful things in store for us.
The beauty of farming is that no one plants expecting nothing to grow. Every seed is planted with faith. Every row is cultivated with hope. Every garden is tended with anticipation. In much the same way, we begin this new chapter believing that God is already at work among us. As we worship together, serve our neighbors, build friendships, and share the love of Christ, we are planting seeds that will bear fruit for generations to come.
Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 55 that God’s Word “shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.” What wonderful encouragement! The Lord is faithful to bless the work that is done in His name. Our calling is simply to remain faithful—planting seeds of kindness, watering them with prayer, and trusting God to provide the growth.
I am filled with excitement to serve alongside each of you. I look forward to meeting more of you, hearing your stories, celebrating life’s joys, walking with you through difficult moments, and discovering together what God has planned for our parish. There is tremendous potential before us, and I believe our best days are not behind us—they are still ahead.
So, as farmers prepare their fields and gardeners tend their flowers, let us also prepare our hearts for this new season God has given us. Let us embrace it with joy, hope, and expectancy. Together we will plant faithfully, grow together in Christ, and celebrate the abundant harvest that only God can provide.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. I am grateful to be your pastor, and I cannot wait to see what God will accomplish through our parish as we grow together in faith.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Cody Battefeld
From Certified Lay Minister Jozett McCoy
McCoy’s Musings
My speedometer read 70 (maybe 75?). The sign said 55. “Maybe I’m going a little too fast – especially on this country road.”
As I looked over the corn fields, I noticed a large grey cloud – the kind of darker grey that meant it wanted to rain but didn’t have enough water to plop down onto my car. As my eyes scanned the rest of the horizon, the dark orange setting sun was dropping below feather whitish clouds leaving orange and yellow streaks to cut through the clouds.
“God this is beautiful. Thank You.”
This kind of thinking and conversation with God has been my experience traveling back and forth from Moline to one of the three parish churches this past month. About the time I notice my car has accelerated to a level my husband would question is about the time I see God’s beauty. God’s beauty slows me down (and not just the 80 mph my car is traveling). My thoughts slow down. My breathing slows down. My desire to rush to get wherever I’m going dwindles to nothing. I am in God’s presence.
See, I often find myself rushing to get somewhere. Many times it has nothing to do with being on time, but everything to do with getting MY “to do” list done. I want to put a check mark next to everything on that list. If it’s all done, I’ve accomplished something. But not really. When my focus is about checking off items on a list, then I miss out on the moments God puts right in front of me – like a setting sun on a country road.
I am going to feel rushed this coming school year. Between teaching and being the CLM for Henry County Tree of Life Parish and my home life, I am going to feel like I haven’t accomplished enough on my “to do” list. But if my focus is on God, I will slow down. If my focus is on God I will notice His glory. If my focus is on God, then I will accomplish what He wants me to accomplish. And maybe, just maybe, my lead foot will ease up a bit, and I’ll only be doing 60 in a 55.