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. |
Participants in our “Grace Abiding in Exile” group have built strong interpersonal bonds while finding and sharing hope and guidance through powerful devotional writings.
The writings come free, each week, via email from a team of Iowa United Methodist writers. We are planning to continue our Tuesday evening discussions through January 19 at which time we’ll evaluate our path moving forward. Please let me know if you’d like to participate and I’ll send you details about how to subscribe to the weekly emails (it’s FREE) and the Zoom link to join us for our discussions. We can even help you PHONE in to our Zoom group.! 
Staying Connected
We want to be certain we are staying connected with those of you who may not use the internet. Please be sure to contact our church office to let us know how we might better serve you in these challenging days. While the Grace building remains closed, our staff is checking voice messages every day. One way we can stay connected is to make use of alternative ways to share news about our lives. |
January 3, 2021
Epiphany Sunday · Jeremiah 31:7-14 · Psalm 147:12-20 · Ephesians 1:3-14 · John 1:(1-9), 10-18 January 10, 2021 1st Sunday after Epiphany· - Genesis 1:1-5 · Psalm 29 · Acts 19:1-7 · Mark 1:4-11 January 17, 2021 2nd Sunday after Epiphany · 1 Samuel 3:1-10 · Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 · 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 · John 1:43-51 January 24, 2021 3rd Sunday after Epiphany · Jonah 3:1-5, 10 · Psalm 62:5-12 · 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 · Mark 1:14-20 January 31, 2021 4th Sunday after Epiphany · Deuteronomy 18:15-20 · Psalm 111 · 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 · Mark 1:21-28 |
New Year—New Commitments
Let’s start the New Year by recommitting our lives to God!
John Wesley, the founder of what is now United Methodism, believed that Methodists, and all Christians, should reaffirm their covenant with God annually. In 1755 Wesley created a service in which an individual renews their covenant with God.
The centerpiece of the Covenant Service is the Wesley Covenant Prayer. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God.
John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer will be the focus of two opportunities at Grace this month…
>A new study, beginning mid-month entitled “The Wesley Prayer Challenge”
>A worship series which will further unpack the Covenant Prayer.
The Study: The Wesley Prayer Challenge
We’re beginning a new study to further explore the spiritual depth and richness of John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer. The three-week study will guide participants as they consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for 21 days… while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. A Scripture, a prayer, and a challenge for daily life are included each day.
Our sessions will be held on Saturdays (Jan. 16, 23, 30) at 1 p.m. or Sundays (Jan. 17, 24, 31), also at 1 p.m. These sessions will be identical. Simply choose the day which best fits your schedule. The sessions will be held via Zoom and we’ll make it possible for non-computer users to participate in the discussions via cell phone. Both the Zoom computer link and phone number will be published on Facebook and our Grace website…and be available by calling the Grace office.
Participants are invited to begin their individual reading of Part One around Jan. 10. We’ll discuss that part of your journey on Jan. 16 or 17. Then, read Part Two for our discussion on Jan. 23 or 24. We’ll finish with a discussion of Part Three on Jan. 30 or 31. Participants should purchase their own books, available via Cokesbury.com, for $12.99.
Saturday Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82817803407
Sunday Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82020652984
Let’s start the New Year by recommitting our lives to God!
John Wesley, the founder of what is now United Methodism, believed that Methodists, and all Christians, should reaffirm their covenant with God annually. In 1755 Wesley created a service in which an individual renews their covenant with God.
The centerpiece of the Covenant Service is the Wesley Covenant Prayer. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God.
John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer will be the focus of two opportunities at Grace this month…
>A new study, beginning mid-month entitled “The Wesley Prayer Challenge”
>A worship series which will further unpack the Covenant Prayer.
The Study: The Wesley Prayer Challenge
We’re beginning a new study to further explore the spiritual depth and richness of John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer. The three-week study will guide participants as they consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for 21 days… while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. A Scripture, a prayer, and a challenge for daily life are included each day.
Our sessions will be held on Saturdays (Jan. 16, 23, 30) at 1 p.m. or Sundays (Jan. 17, 24, 31), also at 1 p.m. These sessions will be identical. Simply choose the day which best fits your schedule. The sessions will be held via Zoom and we’ll make it possible for non-computer users to participate in the discussions via cell phone. Both the Zoom computer link and phone number will be published on Facebook and our Grace website…and be available by calling the Grace office.
Participants are invited to begin their individual reading of Part One around Jan. 10. We’ll discuss that part of your journey on Jan. 16 or 17. Then, read Part Two for our discussion on Jan. 23 or 24. We’ll finish with a discussion of Part Three on Jan. 30 or 31. Participants should purchase their own books, available via Cokesbury.com, for $12.99.
Saturday Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82817803407
Sunday Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82020652984
The Worship Series: “Making Wesley’s Prayer Our Own”
Our worship experiences in the last half of January will also focus
on John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer.
Here are the titles and texts for each Sunday:
Jan. 17 “Surrender and Suffering” Ephesians 2:1-10
Jan. 24 “Honor and Humility” Romans 12:3-8
Jan. 31 “Community and Commitment” John 15:1-5
Our worship experiences in the last half of January will also focus
on John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer.
Here are the titles and texts for each Sunday:
Jan. 17 “Surrender and Suffering” Ephesians 2:1-10
Jan. 24 “Honor and Humility” Romans 12:3-8
Jan. 31 “Community and Commitment” John 15:1-5