PASTOR JIM SHIRBROUN
Jim is the spouse of one (Beverly), the parent of three (Mark, Greg and David), the parent-in-law of one (Jenny) and Grandpa of two (Elliot & Callen...Mark and Jenny sons).
Jim received his Bachelor’s degree (in Animal Science and Ag. Journalism) from Iowa State in 1980 and graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1985 with a Masters of Divinity degree. He has served the following United Methodist congregations: Immanuel (Des Moines), First (Ankeny), St. Paul's (Cedar Rapids) and Collegiate/Wesley (Ames). Jim loves to cook (beyond the thousands of omelets he's prepared for students in the last 20 years). He has been collecting and researching antique horse bridle bits since he was a teenager and has one in his collection which is 3,000 years old. Jim claims his hobby is semi-biblical, citing James 1:26 and 3:3. |
January Worship/Sermon Plans
Dec. 29/30- Sermon: “Hottest Fashion Tips for 2019” Colossians 3:12-17 Jan. 5/6 -Sermon: “We 3 Kings…and Leeroy Jenkins” Matthew 2:1-12 Jan. 12/13- Sermon: “Something in the Water” Matthew 3:13-17 Jan. 19/20- Sermon: “On NOT Saving the Best for Last” John 2:1-11 Jan. 26/27- Sermon: “Left in the Boat” Matthew 4:12-23 |
New Adult Study Coming in January
Our Sunday Morning book discussions continue in 2019, beginning with the book “Searching For Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans.
The discussions will happen on Sunday mornings at 8:45 in the Large Conference Room. We’ll start on January 13 (and continue through March 3. There’ll be no gathering on Sun., Feb. 24).
Many times in our Sunday morning discussions, no matter what the topic, we find ourselves talking about young adults who are no longer involved with a church…and our pain and deep concerns about this phenomenon. I feel this book with help us gain some understanding.
Here’s what the publisher has to say about the book, “From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans comes a book that is both a heartfelt ode to the past and hopeful gaze into the future of what it means to be a part of the Church.
Like millions of her millennial peers, Rachel Held Evans didn't want to go to church anymore. The hypocrisy, the politics, the gargantuan building budgets, the scandals--church culture seemed so far removed from Jesus. Yet, despite her cynicism and misgivings, something kept drawing her back to Church. And so she set out on a journey to understand Church and to find her place in it.
Centered around seven sacraments, Evans' quest takes readers through a liturgical year with stories about baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, vocation, and death that are funny, heartbreaking, and sharply honest.
A memoir about making do and taking risks, about the messiness of community and the power of grace, Searching for Sunday is about overcoming cynicism to find hope and, somewhere in between, Church.”
I hope you’ll prayerfully consider taking part in some very interesting discussions of this book.
Copies will be available beginning Sunday, January 6.
Our Sunday Morning book discussions continue in 2019, beginning with the book “Searching For Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans.
The discussions will happen on Sunday mornings at 8:45 in the Large Conference Room. We’ll start on January 13 (and continue through March 3. There’ll be no gathering on Sun., Feb. 24).
Many times in our Sunday morning discussions, no matter what the topic, we find ourselves talking about young adults who are no longer involved with a church…and our pain and deep concerns about this phenomenon. I feel this book with help us gain some understanding.
Here’s what the publisher has to say about the book, “From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans comes a book that is both a heartfelt ode to the past and hopeful gaze into the future of what it means to be a part of the Church.
Like millions of her millennial peers, Rachel Held Evans didn't want to go to church anymore. The hypocrisy, the politics, the gargantuan building budgets, the scandals--church culture seemed so far removed from Jesus. Yet, despite her cynicism and misgivings, something kept drawing her back to Church. And so she set out on a journey to understand Church and to find her place in it.
Centered around seven sacraments, Evans' quest takes readers through a liturgical year with stories about baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, vocation, and death that are funny, heartbreaking, and sharply honest.
A memoir about making do and taking risks, about the messiness of community and the power of grace, Searching for Sunday is about overcoming cynicism to find hope and, somewhere in between, Church.”
I hope you’ll prayerfully consider taking part in some very interesting discussions of this book.
Copies will be available beginning Sunday, January 6.
|
…New Sunday Option |
A new Sunday morning Adult Discussion option will be available beginning January 13. I struggled to think of a catchy name for it…but all I could come up with is…kän-vər-ˈsā-shən. That is, of course, the phonetic representation of “conversation”. Displaying it this way reminds me that some times we need to look at things, and even decipher them a bit, before they make sense. It’s something which I hope happens in this new, weekly discussion opportunity.
Here’s the plan.
EVERYONE will be invited to come to the Large Conference Room (end of the long hallway at the west end of the building) at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings (don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee first, if you’d like).
For the first 10-15 minutes the group will be invited to share their reactions, reflections and insights about that morning’s worship experience. It’s an
opportunity to get clarification or give feedback about the scripture, sermon, hymns, prayers, etc. Didn’t quite catch something I said in the sermon or
want a deeper discussion about that morning’s worship? Here’s your chance to have a kän-vər-ˈsā-shən. Then, for the remaining 45 minutes or so we’ll discuss a topic announced the previous week. Our topics will range from faith-related aspects of something in the news, to spiritual disciplines (such as Prayer, Bible Study, and Fasting) to what’s happening in United Methodism, to Spiritual Personality Types and much more.
No reading or out-of-group preparation will be necessary. Participants may opt in or out of the discussions based on their interest in the topic
of the week. This flexible, open format will be very welcoming to worship guests, newer members and those not interested in curriculum
based studies (which will continue to be offered at 8:45 on Sunday mornings).
I hope you’ll prayerfully consider taking part in this new Sunday morning option…and invite your friends!
Here’s the plan.
EVERYONE will be invited to come to the Large Conference Room (end of the long hallway at the west end of the building) at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings (don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee first, if you’d like).
For the first 10-15 minutes the group will be invited to share their reactions, reflections and insights about that morning’s worship experience. It’s an
opportunity to get clarification or give feedback about the scripture, sermon, hymns, prayers, etc. Didn’t quite catch something I said in the sermon or
want a deeper discussion about that morning’s worship? Here’s your chance to have a kän-vər-ˈsā-shən. Then, for the remaining 45 minutes or so we’ll discuss a topic announced the previous week. Our topics will range from faith-related aspects of something in the news, to spiritual disciplines (such as Prayer, Bible Study, and Fasting) to what’s happening in United Methodism, to Spiritual Personality Types and much more.
No reading or out-of-group preparation will be necessary. Participants may opt in or out of the discussions based on their interest in the topic
of the week. This flexible, open format will be very welcoming to worship guests, newer members and those not interested in curriculum
based studies (which will continue to be offered at 8:45 on Sunday mornings).
I hope you’ll prayerfully consider taking part in this new Sunday morning option…and invite your friends!