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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.
March Worship Series…”The Summons”
Our Worship Series for Lent (Saturdays and Sundays from Mar. 9/10 through April 6/7) will be based on the hymn “The Summons” (aka “Will You Come and Follow Me?”). The hymn was written in 1980 by John Bell. It’s found on page 2130 in our “The Faith We Sing” hymnal. In its first four verses, the hymn imagines thirteen questions Jesus asks us. The fifth and final verse is the singer’s response to them. We’ll focus on one verse each week, with scripture texts to help us consider powerful aspects of how Jesus demonstrated God’s call on all our lives…and how we might live out that call, individually and together. Each Lenten message stands alone. If you need to miss a week, please join us in worship the other weeks. Of course, you may ALWAYS listen to our Grace worship experiences live at 10 a.m. on KSCJ (1360AM & 94.9FM). You can also go to www.kscj.com to listen to it live on the web. You can listen to sermons ANYtime via our webpage…gracesiouxcity.org March 2/3 “While You Were on the Mountain…” Luke 9:28-43 Mar. 9/10 (Verse 1) “What’s in a Name?” Matthew 16:13-20 Mar. 16/17 (Verse 2) “Care…and Hostile Stares” Luke 6:22 Mar. 23/24 (Verse 3) “Miracles Outside the Spotlight” Matthew 10: 1, Matthew 12:15-16, & Luke 8:17 Mar. 30/31 (Verse 4) “ You Be You (and Change the World)” Galatians 3:26-29 April 6/7 (Verse 5) “Move, Live and Grow” Galatians 5:22 |
Is this thing on?
There’s an old joke which goes something like this: A pastor stands up one Sunday morning to welcome the crowd to worship with their traditional greeting, but notices a wire sticking out of the microphone. The pastor says, “There’s something wrong with this microphone” and the well-conditioned, not particularly attentive congregation responds, “And also with you”. Our sound system (and our wonderful tech crew here at Grace) nearly always perform flawlessly. Once in a while I forget to switch on my microphone in worship. Less frequently there is a glitch in the sound system. On those rare occasions when there’s a “sound issue”, it makes me think about being unheard. Some of us, such as preachers, have frequent opportunities, in sermons or, say, Chimes articles, to make our voices heard. For good or ill, many people use Facebook and other social media platforms to “amplify” their voice and make themselves heard (even if it’s simply to tell the world they’re tired or maybe to display what they’re about to eat). But so many, even in our own communities, perhaps in our own neighborhoods and families, aren’t being heard. For some, it’s because they don’t have opportunities to speak. For others, it may be because they aren’t sure how to make their voices heard. Still others are speaking but, like that inattentive congregation in that old joke, no one is really listening. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday this year on March 6. Lent is, among other things, a season of introspection, of looking at our lives to find places where we are disconnected from God and make plans to create or repair those connections. Many times we can make better connections with God by making better connections with people. Perhaps part of your Lenten journey might include finding ways to make your voice heard in appropriate ways. Are you expressing your needs to those who should know? Do you have people with whom you can discuss the highs and lows of life? Your path through Lent might involve helping those who feel unheard find their voice or their audience. Those who have little contact with others or who are experiencing particularly difficult times in their lives might be especially in need of someone to listen. All of us could, no doubt, benefit from strengthening our two-way communication with God. We might work on “finding our voice with God, opening ourselves more fully and more frequently to God in prayer, sharing our joys and concerns every day. We might also practice our ability to hear God’s voice in the many ways it can come to us. So many activities, events and opportunities in every issue of our Chimes newsletter can help of do all of these things. In this season of Lent, with all which is going on in our denomination, world…and in your life, I hope you will find one or more ways to listen for ways God may be speaking to you… and invite others to join you. This Lent, let’s try to make sure everyone has their “microphones on”. May all of us find our voice, find places to share our voice and help others do the same. |
Have you joined in the ?
It’s our new Sunday morning discussion group for adults at 11:15. Grab a beverage and maybe a sweet treat and join us after worship any Sunday morning.
We spend the first 10-15 minutes sharing reactions/responses to that morning’s worship experience, and then, for the final 45 minutes or so, dig into a topic announced at least the week before.
Here are our UPDATED conversation topics for March…subject to change if something emerges in that week’s news, if we decide to extend a discussion for more than one week, etc.
Sunday, Mar. 3: What Exactly is Ash Wednesday…and Lent?
Sunday, Mar. 10 Spiritual Disciplines, Part 1 Prayer
Sunday, Mar. 17: Spiritual Disciplines, Part 2 Worship
Sunday, Mar. 24: General Conference Follow-up (see article elsewhere in this issue of the Chimes)
Sunday, Mar. 31: Spiritual Disciplines, Part 4 Stewardship •
· Sun., March 10 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Salem UMC, Cedar Rapids
• Sat., March 16 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. New Hope UMC, Des Moines
• Sun., March 17 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Trinity UMC, Fort Dodge
It’s our new Sunday morning discussion group for adults at 11:15. Grab a beverage and maybe a sweet treat and join us after worship any Sunday morning.
We spend the first 10-15 minutes sharing reactions/responses to that morning’s worship experience, and then, for the final 45 minutes or so, dig into a topic announced at least the week before.
Here are our UPDATED conversation topics for March…subject to change if something emerges in that week’s news, if we decide to extend a discussion for more than one week, etc.
Sunday, Mar. 3: What Exactly is Ash Wednesday…and Lent?
Sunday, Mar. 10 Spiritual Disciplines, Part 1 Prayer
Sunday, Mar. 17: Spiritual Disciplines, Part 2 Worship
Sunday, Mar. 24: General Conference Follow-up (see article elsewhere in this issue of the Chimes)
Sunday, Mar. 31: Spiritual Disciplines, Part 4 Stewardship •
· Sun., March 10 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Salem UMC, Cedar Rapids
• Sat., March 16 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. New Hope UMC, Des Moines
• Sun., March 17 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Trinity UMC, Fort Dodge
UMCOR SUNDAY
When you hear about a disaster of humanitarian crisis, and you give to
UMCOR out of a sense of love and compassion, one hundred percent of the money you designate goes toward people in need.
How does UMCOR do that? Through One Great Hour of Sharing.
Your Opportunity to give with be Sunday, March 31st. We are compelled by Christ to alleviate human suffering.
When you hear about a disaster of humanitarian crisis, and you give to
UMCOR out of a sense of love and compassion, one hundred percent of the money you designate goes toward people in need.
How does UMCOR do that? Through One Great Hour of Sharing.
Your Opportunity to give with be Sunday, March 31st. We are compelled by Christ to alleviate human suffering.