The Burt Presbyterian Church celebrated 125 years of service to Christ and community with a three day rejoicing this past weekend. A number of former pastors and members returned for the event, including Rev. Dick Glasgow, Pastor Nancy Glasgow, Rev. Rick Sleyster, Pastor Judy Junkemeier, and son of the church, Rev. Clint Patterson. Special singers included the Becker sisters, Christa and Nicole Person, Diane Wilson, John Lovstad, and the Becker-Mawdsley Quartet, with Dale Person.
Pastor Dick Glasgow gave the keynote sermon, speaking of Joshua and memorial stones, and urging the church to continue to build on the strong foundation that has been laid over the 125 years. He decried the “spiritual amnesia” that besets much of America. “Do not forget what you have been taught,” he said. “Sink your roots deep down into God’s Word and grow for Jesus.”
On Friday night, Pastor Rick Sleyster had talked about how each member was represented by bricks in the building, because their contributions each helped to build the spiritual hpuse of a church. He also urged the people to keep baking “spiritual bread,” and sharing it with the surrounding area. “Let them smell and taste the goodness that God is cooking,” he proclaimed.
On Sunday afternoon, the Rev. David Feltman of Waterloo, General Presbyter of the North Central Iowa Presbytery, urged the church to look to the future, with the Book of Acts as a guide, and to seek the Spirit’s leading, and to be bold in experimenting for God, “to do new things in His Name.” Feltman pointed to the fact that Jesus is coming back and we must keep our minds strong in our future with God, even as we do good for Him in our world today.
Saturday featured a tribute to the 22 fifty year members of the church, hosted by the Presbyterian Women and emceed by the installed pastor Rev. Glenn Wilson. The fifty year members were saluted in word and song, and a special coffee fellowship time. One of the highlights of the weekend was the testimonies of the fifty year members to God's grace and guidance over the years.
The members honored were: Maxine Angus, Viola Becker, Virginia Becker, Carol Carlson, Ralph Carlson, Arlen Chafee, Bernard Gifford, Harris Harms,Buelah Langerman, Ruth Long, Mabeline Lovstad, Duane Mawdsley, Evelyn Mawdsley. Marjorie Mawdsley, Roscoe Mawdsley, Betty Miller, Russell Patterson, Dorothy Sheirbon,Len Stenzel, Marlene Stenzel, Esther Sorenson, and Kenneth Trenary.
Attendance was strong for the four services, with total attendance of 619: 231 on Sunday morning, 135 on Sunday afternoon, 122 on Saturday, and 131 on Friday night. Event chairperson Marlene Stenzel and Evelyn Mawdsley, along with secretary Mabeline Lovstad, were overjoyed with the response to the event and were thankful for all who worked to make it happen and came to celebrate what God has done in the church’s life.
Music Fest 2008, hosted by the Burt Presbyterian Church, was a great success due to the hard work and prayers of the Burt evangelism committee, headed by Dale Person, with Erma Parsons, Larry and Diana Bunkofske, John and Marlene Boekholt, Melanie Person, Tad Reutzel, Steve Davis and Jared Becker. Dale Person said “It was a wonderful time in the Lord all three nights.”
Sunday night, the final night of the singspiration, was a powerful time of prayer and praise. 124 people came and worshipped Jesus Christ as the Burt Presbyterian Choir, Norman Becker, Pastor Judy Junkermeier, Pastor Donna Steven and the Lone Rockers, the Madison-Person Quartet, Mandy Madison, Meagan and Cody Parsons, Bethany Laddusaw and Joanna Wilson all sang uplifting songs and led praises to the Lord.
Evelyn Mawdsley of Burt spoke on Christian service, using her own life and 64 years of church membership for examples of how the Lord opens up opportunities to serve Him, if you yourself are open, willing and listening. Kent Madison of Lone Rock urged the congregation to "shine for Jesus" wherever they were.
On Friday night Dr. Dave Ullom of Algona inspired the group by singing a number of his original compositions. Also singing were Diane Wilson, Nicole Person, Bethany Laddusaw, Joanna Wilson, with a Christian skit from the Burt Youth Fellowship featuring Cody Parsons, Ethan Simpson and Benjamin Wilson. Dr. Ullom encouraged the congregation to seek God in prayer and in service, as well as to worship Him in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
On Saturday, Cary Brown of Woden sang for the festival, along with Kris Williams, Mary Behrends, Diane Wilson, Dale Person, Ruth Isebrand, and Joanna Wilson. The Burt Youth Fellowship featured Ben Wilson and the 23rd Psalm and a dramatic reading by Tyler Mawdsley. Mary Behrends, the Burt Presbyterian Youth Minister, talked about how Christians should stay humble before God, "because we are all sinners saved by grace." She spoke of a T-shirt she sometimes wears that says simply "I am the wretch the song refers to," bringing to mind the powerful verses of "Amazing Grace."
The event ended with a stirring congregational hymn sing of "When We All Get to Heaven," followed by five area pastors joining hands and leading the people in the Lord's Prayer, and then a benediction by Rev. Willis Nicholson. Rev. Glenn Wilson of Burt was enthusiastic about Music Fest, saying “There was a sweet spirit in all the meetings as the Holy Spirit performed spiritual surgery on the hearts of people, and they were encouraged to live lives of love and service, following Jesus Christ.”
As we look forward to our third MUSICFEST, we fondly remember last year's gathering --
A great crowd of 126 people came to praise the Lord at MUSIC FEST 2007 in Burt last Thursday, the spring renewal outreach to the community held at the Presbyterian Church on Thursday. Hometown recording artist Denise Shipler led the singers with a wonderful set of contemporary Christian music. Diane Wilson, Bethany Laddusaw, Joanna Wilson, Janet Dirks, Norman Becker also sang. Evelyn Mawdsley and Marlene Stenzel were the accompanists for congregational songs.
As Elder Mary Behrends proclaimed, "IT WAS AN AWESOME EVENING!" Another elder stated, "Yes, God was so good to us last night. He is good all the time, but sometimes we are just more aware of it, and last night was one of those times."
Tears of joy came to many eyes during the service as the songs were sung and the words ministered to the hearts of those in attendance. Dan Larsen gave the devotional, bringing in a milk churn and recalling his days on the farm as a child. He spoke of how God calls on Christians to be the salt of the earth, and related it to how the salt bricks on the farm caused the cows the consume more of the life giving water and helped them become more productive.
So it is with Christians, said Larsen, who are salt to the world and help people to drink the Living Water Christ provides. He said that is how people can become more fruitful in the world, as they drink the Living Water of the Holy Spirit, they become better suppliers of God's love.
Shipler also gave a testimony during her concert, reciting Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 29:11 as evidence of God's compassion for individuals. She ended the night with the evangelical song "Go Light Your World," and she received a rousing standing ovation from the congregation.
The biggest crowd for Music Fest was on Sunday night when 146 people came to see the Iowa Central College Singers, featuring Meagan Parsons, and the Burt Presbyterian Choir. Parsons and Mark Laddusaw shared faith stories, and Norman Becker, Dale and Melanie Person, Ruth Isebrand and Taylor Becker, and Diane Wilson also sang. Evelyn Mawdsley, Marlene Stenzel, Paul Espe and Marilyn Gale provided accompaniment for the singers.
422 people attended during the four nights of joyful songs and stories of faith. Speakers included Dave Newbrough, Mary Behrends, and Maxine Angus. Singers included Pastor Judy Junkermeier, Reverend Linzy Collins, Nicole Person, Cary Brown, Dr. Dave Ullom and Pastor Robin Thomas. Pastor Glenn Wilson acted as host and Dave Mawdsley was the technical superviser. Pastor Wilson expressed thanks to all who helped with the event.
THANK GOD FOR A GREAT YEAR SERVING HIM IN 2007!
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE here, with Methodist Church. 100 people attended. Every day is thanksgiving for Christians. Count your blessings! See what God has done and be thankful!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. 110 shoeboxes (168 between 3 churches) a new record! Thanks to Melanie Person and the Middle School Youth for their leadership and hard work to make it happen! This is one of the great outreaches of our church, and we generate more boxes than much larger churches.
ADVENT brought us Christmas in the Barn, plus our Sunday School, with Karen Larsen, is planning a wonderful afternoon Christmas play, coming up this week. Then the Bell Choir performs on Sunday, December 23in the morning and the Christmas Eve Service is at 5 PM at UMC with communion.
SUNDAY SCHOOL --Sunday School has kept a strong presence in our church, with the program continuing through the summer when a lot of other churches take the summer months off. We also have a vibrant Adult Class. Thanks to Dan and Karen for directing. Thanks to all our wonderful teachers, musicians, and parents. Especially, we thank God for the children He brings to us to love and teach.
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP – YF is active from September through May and they host two signature services – Christmas in the Barn and Easter Sunrise. Christmas in the Barn this year was again an amazing time with the Lord, with 118 people braving 9 degree weather to see a truly unique program performed wonderfully by our young people. Our youth love the Lord and each other, praise God
THE WORK OF THE SESSION AND DEACONS. Our ordained officers do so much to keep our church going strong – guiding, praying, visiting, encouraging, serving the Lord in many ways.
OUR GREAT SUPPORT STAFF – Thanks to bulletin secretary Connee Espe, custodians Maxine Angus, and before her Dawn Chipman and her mother, and treasurers Julie Angus, Mike Scott and Verdean Mawdsley for all they do for us. Thanks also to the PW women who help at funerals.
TRUSTEES – The session of this church has traditionally given a good deal of financial oversight to the trustees. The church is in good financial condition due to the faithfulness of members and friends who give unto the Lord’s work. Praise Him who does so much for us. The Trustees prayerfully supervise our finances. Let us pray for them as they pray for us. May each of our families be blessed financially.
NEW BUILDING ADDITION – The work to make the church more accessible to our elderly and physically challenged people is rapidly coming to completion. We know God will bring in the rest of the needed funds to finish this work. Thanks to Verdean Mawdsley, Mike Scott, Tom Angus and Mabeline Lovstad for their leadership in fund raising, and Dan Larsen, Dave Mawdsley and the Building Committee and the Trustees for their diligent leadership in the construction process. Praise the Lord!
MISSION COMMISSION – We continue to be blessed with an active and effective mission commission that oversees funding of local, presbytery and national mission giving. Our church gives more to missions per member than any other church in the Presbytery. Giving is God’s way of life.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY. Pastor Wilson and Elder Len Stenzel both served on the Presbytery Committee on Ministry for its important work for Christ. Pastor Wilson also served as Lone Rock’s moderator until a pastor was found, and now is the moderator of the Garner Presbyterian Church. He also is on the Presbytery Crisis Response team, the New Church Development Council, and is the Board of Pensions Representative for the Presbytery.
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE -- Our Evangelism Committee went door to door in May, and continues to pray for revival in Burt. We will be looking at some new projects in the new year. Folks once again went door to door and spread the welcome to the people of Burt and our surrounding area. We want to always be know as a welcoming, loving church, a house of prayer for all peoples.
WOMEN’s PROGRAM – The Presbyterian Women have two active circles and a vibrant PWC that meets monthly, September through May. PWC and the Circles do many wonderful things in our church and community, as an integral part of the church’s ministry, helping such charities as Kossuth Crisis Center and Exceptional Opportunities. PW does many remarkable things for our church and community.
MEN’s PROGRAM – For nearly 40 years there has been a Tuesday morning Men’s Prayer Breakfast, which continues with Pastor Wilson leading Bible Study and Rev. Willis Nicholson leading prayer time. With the leadership of Larry Haase, Mark Laddusaw and Dale Person, we also have begun a monthly men’s event in men’s homes – also in the form of breakfast on Saturday mornings. We are considering having a Father-Son banquet and attending a Promise Keepers event in the future. Rise up, O men of God! Serve Jesus! Our next meeting is Saturday, January 5 at 7:30 AM. All area men are invited and teenagers 13 and up are welcome to attend in the church fellowship hall. Serve the Lord with gladness!
MEN OF INTEGRITY BANQUET – Coordinated by Elder Dale Person, 120 people bought tickets for this event, with keynote speaker Joel Stenzel, who gave us a powerful presentation about men having integrity in family, church and community. It was a wonderful night in many ways, with great singing.
LENTEN SERIES with Lone Rock Presbyterian Church, Lent 2007, beginning with Ash Wednesday service at Lone Rock, Sunday night services at Burt, and Maundy Thursday services at both churches, with a noon Good Friday service in Lone Rock and an evening Good Friday service (also with Burt United Methodist Church) at 7 PM. Plus the play WITNESSES (154 attending). In 2007, we also began united Wednesday noon soup and devotion services with Lone Rock, which was very successful. We also had our United Lenten Devotion Book once again, with special help from Pastor Judy Junkermeier, Connee Espe, and the members of Burt, Woden and Lone Rock churches. It was very inspirational.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE, was full of inspiration and power, led by our Youth Fellowship, with Mary Behrends, with 103 in attendance. A fellowship breakfast followed the service.
MUSIC FEST, April, 2007, 4 nights of songs and faith stories, featuring singers and musicians from our church and surrounding communities, including Rev. Linzy Collins (Garner), Rev. Dr. Dave Ullom (Algona), and Pastor Judy Junkermeier (Lone Rock), plus Denise Shipler, Diane Wilson, Bethany Laddusaw, Joanna Wilson, Mary Behrends; Cary Brown (Woden), Pastor Robin Thomas; Jane Doocy, the Burt Presbyterian Choir, with Evelyn Mawdsley, Marlene Stenzel, and Norman Becker , the Iowa Central Singers with Megan Parsons, and Dale and Melanie Person. Music Fest in Burt was another good success, with good attendance, powerful programs, and a renewal of enthusiasm and purpose. Total attendance was 420 people over four nights (126 Thursday, 85 Friday, 72 Saturday, and 137 on Sunday). Christians from many different area churches came together to worship and praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAISE NIGHT, a contemporary worship service, 6 PM Sundays, continued in 2007. thanks to Dale Person, Ruth Isebrand, Diane Wilson, Taylor Becker, Bethany Laddusaw, Joanna Wilson, Ginger Marlow, Kris Williams for leading Praise Music and Ginger Marlow for teaching. We praise the Lord and thank Him for His blessings! We saw answered prayer and heard many strong testimonies.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – a Burt tradition keeps going strong in 2005, 2006, and 2007, averaging nearly 100 children and over 35 staff people, uniting with three other churches – Lone Rock Presbyterian, Burt United Methodist, Fenton United Methodist, and their pastors. Thanks to Mary Behrends, Dawn Chipman and Marcia Miller for directing! Thanks to all who serve as staff and all the parents who send their wonderful children! It is a yearly miracle, and thanks to everyone who serves.
ON THE ROCK RALLY -- The Building on the Rock rally was one of the wonderful days of our entire year! Sunday School Rocks! Thanks to everyone that made it a great day in the Lord. Lots of fun was had by everyone who attend. There was special music and fun. The children are the future of the church.
MUSIC – We have an active and gifted choir under the direction of Director Evelyn Mawdsley and accompanist Marlene Stenzel. There is also a great Bell Choir under the direction of Paul Epse. We have also have several soloists and a Praise Team. God has blessed our church with wonderful music! One of the hallmarks of an active church is a strong and active choir. Thanks to each member of our choir!
QUASQUI PLANNING for our 2008 Church Quasqui – the Planning has begun. Evelyn Mawdsely and Marlene Stenzel are heading up the steering committee, and a great time in the Lord has been planned for the weekend of June 27-29, when our celebration will culminate. Sunday, February 3rd will see a special kickoff potluck and program after church on that day. Mark your calendars!
ICE CREAM SOCIAL – July 2005 (55 attended); July 2006 (72 attended), and this year 53 attended. It was a time of sweet fellowship under the trees in the lawn by the manse, singing songs of praise.
REFORMATION DAY – Salad and Soup and friendship was accented as we remembered the past.
THE GOING HOME SERVICES OF Frances “Slim” Sheirbon, Delmar Angus, and Harold Becker. . Parting brings sadness, but we have confidence these fine Christian men are with the Lord. Praise God for the blessings of their lives and for their legacies of their wonderful wives and children and families. The lives of these men echoed their strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER – on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 PM – We studied the Book of Revelation and did a series on the teachings of Dr. Billy Graham. We begin with the Book of Acts in January. Make plans to come and join our group as we dig deeper into the Scriptures about the early church. We have a strong core group, but we invite you to come and study His Word with us.
John 10:10, Phil. 1:6, Phil. 4:13
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