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.
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.
“God is Holding Your Life: A Journey of Assurance for the New Year”
The next seven weeks make up the Christian season of Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” and refers in particular to the manifestation of Jesus as Savior not only of the Jews, but of all the peoples of the world.
After the rush and activity of the holiday season (even in pandemic), the new year can offer us a time of slowing down, simplifying and leaning on reflection and prayer to help us sustain the journey toward a time when we can move to the rhythms of life for which we yearn. It is difficult to be patient in the midst of difficult times. The Psalms can help us with that.
I look forward to sharing this Worship Series with you. It’s entitled “God is Holding Your Life: A Journey of Assurance for the New Year”.
While the worship experiences are linked thematically, each also “stands alone” in the sense that, should you be unable to join us for one or more weeks, you’ll still find much meaning in each worship experience. (And remember…you may “catch up” with worship by watching the videos on Facebook or on our Grace website.)
Jan. 8/9 “These Lives are Precious”
Psalm 72 "God delivers the needy when they call..."
Jan. 15/16 “Awe and Wonder”
Psalm 29 "My God gives strength to the people and blesses the people with peace"
Jan. 22/23 “Where Can I Go?”
Psalm 139 "You have searched me and You know me"
Jan. 29/30 “In God Alone”
Psalm 62 "God alone is my rock and salvation... I shall not be shaken"
Feb. 5/6 “Whole Heart Hallelujah”
Psalm 111 "the works of God's hands are faithful and just"
Feb. 12/13 “We Wait, We Hope, We Stay”
Psalm 147 "God heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds"
Feb. 19/20 “The One is Shining Forth”
Psalm 50 "God speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun its setting"
The next seven weeks make up the Christian season of Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” and refers in particular to the manifestation of Jesus as Savior not only of the Jews, but of all the peoples of the world.
After the rush and activity of the holiday season (even in pandemic), the new year can offer us a time of slowing down, simplifying and leaning on reflection and prayer to help us sustain the journey toward a time when we can move to the rhythms of life for which we yearn. It is difficult to be patient in the midst of difficult times. The Psalms can help us with that.
I look forward to sharing this Worship Series with you. It’s entitled “God is Holding Your Life: A Journey of Assurance for the New Year”.
While the worship experiences are linked thematically, each also “stands alone” in the sense that, should you be unable to join us for one or more weeks, you’ll still find much meaning in each worship experience. (And remember…you may “catch up” with worship by watching the videos on Facebook or on our Grace website.)
Jan. 8/9 “These Lives are Precious”
Psalm 72 "God delivers the needy when they call..."
Jan. 15/16 “Awe and Wonder”
Psalm 29 "My God gives strength to the people and blesses the people with peace"
Jan. 22/23 “Where Can I Go?”
Psalm 139 "You have searched me and You know me"
Jan. 29/30 “In God Alone”
Psalm 62 "God alone is my rock and salvation... I shall not be shaken"
Feb. 5/6 “Whole Heart Hallelujah”
Psalm 111 "the works of God's hands are faithful and just"
Feb. 12/13 “We Wait, We Hope, We Stay”
Psalm 147 "God heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds"
Feb. 19/20 “The One is Shining Forth”
Psalm 50 "God speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun its setting"
Begin the New Year with COURAGE!
Courage is a foundational virtue required for the Christian life. But we may often wonder if we have what it takes to live the vital life Jesus offers his disciples.
In Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith, pastor and author Tom Berlin challenges us to unlock the courage we already possess as Christ followers.
You are invited to join other Grace folks and friends in a six-week study (beginning in mid-January) to read and discuss Rev. Berlin’s book. By examining the life of Christ, we will strive to understand what true courage is and how God works in the lives of Christ followers as they exhibit a brave faith. Once we have eyes to hear what Jesus is showing us, once have ears to hear, we can begin to find the remarkable life Jesus offers us.
Two, identical weekly discussion sessions will be held to provide participants some flexibility in scheduling. Each session will be hybrid…offered both in-person and via Zoom. Participants should choose the session which best fits their typical schedule, with the option of switching as necessary. Participants may purchase the book via Cokesbury (cokesbury.com) or other on-line bookseller.
1 p.m. Saturdays (Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1,8,15,22)
or
7 P.M. TUESDAY (Jan 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26)
Courage is a foundational virtue required for the Christian life. But we may often wonder if we have what it takes to live the vital life Jesus offers his disciples.
In Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith, pastor and author Tom Berlin challenges us to unlock the courage we already possess as Christ followers.
You are invited to join other Grace folks and friends in a six-week study (beginning in mid-January) to read and discuss Rev. Berlin’s book. By examining the life of Christ, we will strive to understand what true courage is and how God works in the lives of Christ followers as they exhibit a brave faith. Once we have eyes to hear what Jesus is showing us, once have ears to hear, we can begin to find the remarkable life Jesus offers us.
Two, identical weekly discussion sessions will be held to provide participants some flexibility in scheduling. Each session will be hybrid…offered both in-person and via Zoom. Participants should choose the session which best fits their typical schedule, with the option of switching as necessary. Participants may purchase the book via Cokesbury (cokesbury.com) or other on-line bookseller.
1 p.m. Saturdays (Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1,8,15,22)
or
7 P.M. TUESDAY (Jan 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26)
Lenten Study “Embracing the Uncertain: A Lenten Study for Unsteady Times
Back in March of 2020, three groups of Grace folks and friends had barely begun a Lenten study when COVID19 changed everything. The name of the curriculum resource we were using was, “Embracing the Uncertain: A Lenten Study for Unsteady Times”.
That study, along with so many other things in our individual and congregational lives, was put on hold. Now, two years later, much uncertainty remains and I think it’s time for us to re-start this study.
Here are some words from the publisher: Learn to engage and wrestle with life’s uncertainties this Lenten season.
Just turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruptions of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail.
Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny.
The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards.
Embracing the Uncertain invites readers this Lent to engage and wrestle with life’s uncertainties, not ignore them. The chapters focus on six post-Transfiguration, pre-Passion stories in the Gospels. Each of these stories are signposts in the gospel narrative, pointing down at a world filled with uncertainty, but pointing us forward to a cross that can show us how to follow Jesus with courage, hope, and obedience.
Participants may purchase the book via Cokesbury (cokesbury.com) or other on-line bookseller. There is also an optional devotion guide available (but not required).
Two, identical weekly discussion sessions will be held to provide participants some flexibility in scheduling. Each session will be hybrid…offered both in-person and via Zoom. Participants should choose the session which best fits their typical schedule, with the option of switching as necessary.
1 p.m. Saturdays (Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9)
OR
7 p.m. Tuesdays (Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12)
Back in March of 2020, three groups of Grace folks and friends had barely begun a Lenten study when COVID19 changed everything. The name of the curriculum resource we were using was, “Embracing the Uncertain: A Lenten Study for Unsteady Times”.
That study, along with so many other things in our individual and congregational lives, was put on hold. Now, two years later, much uncertainty remains and I think it’s time for us to re-start this study.
Here are some words from the publisher: Learn to engage and wrestle with life’s uncertainties this Lenten season.
Just turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruptions of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail.
Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny.
The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards.
Embracing the Uncertain invites readers this Lent to engage and wrestle with life’s uncertainties, not ignore them. The chapters focus on six post-Transfiguration, pre-Passion stories in the Gospels. Each of these stories are signposts in the gospel narrative, pointing down at a world filled with uncertainty, but pointing us forward to a cross that can show us how to follow Jesus with courage, hope, and obedience.
Participants may purchase the book via Cokesbury (cokesbury.com) or other on-line bookseller. There is also an optional devotion guide available (but not required).
Two, identical weekly discussion sessions will be held to provide participants some flexibility in scheduling. Each session will be hybrid…offered both in-person and via Zoom. Participants should choose the session which best fits their typical schedule, with the option of switching as necessary.
1 p.m. Saturdays (Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9)
OR
7 p.m. Tuesdays (Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12)