Greetings from Capitol Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)!

Capitol Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
3322 E. 25th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone: 515-266-6283
Fax: 515-266-8226
chcc25@msn.com
chccsecretary@gmail.com

Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.
Worship: 10:00 a.m.
You are welcome!

Candice K. Brown, Pastor

“Come Worship, Study, Share and Serve with Us!”

Secretary Hours:
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and, Friday

You may view the Capitol Hill Christian Church calendar by clicking on the following link: http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/CHCCCalendar

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. Every month, a new menu is available and contains both fresh and frozen food items. The average retail value is approximately $60.00. You may purchase as many of these packages as you like for $30.00 per unit! Specialty boxes are also available after the purchase of at least one $30.00 unit. These boxes generally contain specialty items such as steaks, chicken or pork.

If you are not local to the Capitol Hill Christian Church area, you may visit http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ to find the host site closest to you.

Angel Food Ministries

Orders are accepted on:
Monday, Nov. 30th: 11 am-1pm
Wednesday, Dec. 2nd: 11am-1pm
Saturday, Dec. 5th: 10am-11am
EBT Orders on Saturday Only.

Distribution Day: Saturday, Dec. 12th:
10:30-11:30am

We accept cash, personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders made out to Capitol Hill Christian Church.

Candice's Comments

Think you've heard the Christmas story dozens and dozens of times? Well, maybe you've never heard it like Barbara Robinson relates it in her book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
She tells of the six Herdman children who were the worst kids in the world (everyone agreed!). They lied, they stole, they hit little kids, they talked dirty, and even the girls smoked cigars.
Sunday School was a safe haven for the other children because the Herdmans never went there. But when the Herdmans show up one Sunday looking for chocolate cake, they hear about the Christmas pageant and decide they want to take part.
To the dismay of everyone involved, the Herdmans land the main parts in the play. Although everyone expects a disaster, the Herdmans bring a fresh interpretation to the Christmas story, a story they had never heard before.
Perhaps you'd like to hear the Christmas story in a new way this year. Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. during Advent (November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20), we will watch the movie version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, followed by a discussion of the content we've viewed.
Perhaps you will see or hear something that you have missed in the past. Perhaps you will find new ways of experiencing the message of Christmas.
This just might be the best Christmas ever!
Blessings,
Candice

December Info: A Wonderful Gift, Nutcracker Suites Holiday Tea, 2009 Christmas Tea, Those Serving in December

A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM FAITHFUL STEWARDS

Capitol Hill has been blessed with a large gift of money. This fall word was received that Helen and Bill Stejskal had remembered Capitol Hill in their will. These faithful stewards left approximately $53,000 in trust to the congregation.

The Memorial Committee is responsible for the appropriate distribution of these funds. According to church policy, all undesignated money of $10,000 or more will be divided thus: 50 percent to the General Memorial Fund and 50 percent to the Permanent Memorial Fund.

Helen truly loved the organ music at Capitol Hill so the Memorial Committee decided to fund the church organist salary for 2010 from the Stejskal gift. Other uses of the monies placed in the General Memorial Fund are being explored.

We are presently studying the best way to invest the 50 percent that is for Permanent Memorial Fund where only the interest is used.

A time to remember and give thanks for the faithful stewardship of Bill and Helen Stejskal was part of Heritage Sunday worship on November 15.
Paul Turner, Chair
Memorial Committee

NUTCRACKER SUITES HOLIDAY TEA
Sat. Dec. 5
2:00 p.m.
$7 per person
If you like, bring an ornament to exchange.

Menu includes: seasonal tea or punch, soups, sandwiches and of course “suite” goodies!

Reservations suggested - see Pat or Sheryl.

O COME ALL YOU FAITHFUL
2009 Christmas Offering
"Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
(Luke 2:15b The Message)

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. We announce and celebrate the Good News of the birth of our Savior. And part of that Good News is sharing in the special Christmas Offering. All of the monies given for the special Christmas Offering stays here within the Upper Midwest Region to support the good things that are happening. We want these good things to continue and grow!
Exciting ministries are happening in the Upper Midwest Region like:
--Stephen and Rebecca Haney have been called as New Church Planters in Rochester, Minnesota;
--26 summer camps and conferences at the Christian Conference Center are building and empowering faith;
--the annual School for Congregational Learning provides education and training for clergy and laity, equipping folks for God's work.
Wouldn't it be great if "Every Member/Every Church" in the Region participated in sharing this Good News through the special Christmas Offering? We are "Disciples Together" and together we can do great things to announce that Christ our Savior is born.

THOSE SERVING IN DECEMBER:
Worship Leaders Communion Prep. Worship & Wonder
Dec. 6 Sheryl Hove Amy & Peggy Lukenbill Luci & Brian Collins
Dec.13 Kathy Poffenberger Amy & Peggy Lukenbill
Dec 20 Margaret Blakesley Emily Kerns
Dec.27 Emily Kerns

Elders
Dec. 6 Luci & Brian Collins
Dec. 13 Brian Collins & Bob West
Dec. 20 Rod Green & Suzanne Turner
Dec. 27 Suzanne Turner & Jeff Kerns

Homebound Communion: Clare Smith-Larson & Brian Collins
Deacon Captain: Sheryl Hove

Prayer Concerns

REMEMBER THESE IN YOUR PRAYERS…
John and Nadine Skinner, Margaret Casebolt, Barb Godfrey, Lindsey and Jason Buehler; Suzanne and Paul Turner; Patty and Denny Maiers; Larry Oldes; Max and Yvonne Welshhons, Dave, Susie and Gillian Randall, Wilma and Tom Arthur, Charlotte Dawson, Shawn Gilson, Charlotte and Leland Hintz, Pat and Bob West, Mary Koehler, Maxine Beck, Kate West, Jondi Batye (Iraq), Scott Batye (Iraq), Robin Maciak, Bill and Amy Spangler-Dunning, Don Hiscox and Karen Vroman, Chuck and Phyllis Tillman, Cheryl Newlin, Ed Thomas, Ron and Polly Flug, Megan Miller, Vera Weaver, Sharon Watkins and Rick Lowery, Joyce Mueller, Helen and Jim Blaney, Deddeh Tennih, Robert and Shirley Surber, Lyle Holtman, Betty Landwehr, Sylvia Wicker, Helen Farmer, Vesta Trullinger, Elsie Courrier, Joe Van Lent, Linda Abel

Thank you!

THANKS TO THE ONE(S) WHO...
--supported the 2nd Annual Chicken Dinner
--welcomed our new secretary Yvonne Welshhons
--invited a friend to worship
--attended the Colleen Irving Memorial Celebration
--sent a card or visited someone in the hospital
--attend board meetings, committee meetings, and annual meetings to do the work of the church
--tithe (give 10%) of their time, talents and financial resources to the church's ministry
--welcomed the Cluster 7 clergy to Capitol Hill
--washed and dried dishes in the church kitchen
--brought food items for the DMARC Food Pantry and the Capitol Hill Food Drive
--celebrated Suzanne Turner's 17 years as organist
--pray for those they know and those they don't know
--gave to the Thanksgiving Special Day Offering to support Disciple colleges and seminaries
--read the Portrait

ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT A BIG SUCCESS!
Although we had fewer trunks than last year, this year’s event was a rousing success. Because our brothers and sisters of the Salem Congregation of the Pentecostal Church of God [PCG] had their regular Friday night service the same evening, we arranged the parking lot a bit differently than in past years. The north end of the Capitol Hill parking lot was blocked off from the Stone Crest parking lot, so all incoming and outgoing traffic was directed to the south driveway. PCG used the small lot on the south, but all other cars parked on the north street or in the Wells Fargo or Horstman lots. This made a much safer traffic flow than in previous years.

Thanks to all who provided treats from their trunks. We had close to 100 participants of all ages from infants to teenagers including special guests from Mosaic, where Rev. Kate West currently serves. Many members brought or invited grandchildren or neighborhood friends. Friends of the church and friends of this event all contributed.

Special thanks to Vicki and Randy Buehler for providing hot spiced cider and S’mores and to all that helped make the event a successful and safe one for everyone.

FROM THE MULLINS
Dear Members and Friends of Capitol Hill Christian Church, Millie and I wish to thank you all for the notes we received about our 53rd Wedding Anniversary. We are flattered and pleased that you have sent us these notes of congratulations. May each one share in the joy of togetherness and faith. We appreciate your pastor remembering and making this information known to you. Currently we are taking care of three United Methodist Churches since there were no Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the area needing a pastor. So each Sunday we witness for the Lord at 8:30 a.m.,10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The towns are Downing, Arbela, and Granger, Missouri. Then there are all the activities such as "Lord Acres Sale" that each community has. So we are busy, and we are blessed with your interest and blessing.
Rev. Dr. George H. Mullins

A WORD OF THANKS

Brothers and Sisters , I want to thank each of you for the different ways you took care of me during my recent illness. Thank you again! Love,
Larry Oldes

Thank you to all who sent us greetings and well wishes. We really do appreciate them and love our church family.
John and Nadine Skinner

DECEMBER NEWS

NEW STAFF MEMBERS
Yvonne Welshhons is Capitol Hill's new church secretary. Her first day was Wednesday, November 4. She will be working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Yvonne is an active member and leader in the Runnells Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Stop by and meet her so she can begin to put names and faces together.

Ron Flug will begin as organist for Capitol Hill on Sunday, January 3. He is a member of the Central Iowa Chapter of American Guild of Organists. His church membership is with First Federated. Ron will play at the Christmas Eve service as well as in worship on December 13 and December 27 before beginning the first of the year full time.

Many thanks to those who have had a part in securing and orienting these new staff members:
Pat West, President of the Congregation
Personnel Committee members: Phyllis Tillman, Randy Buehler, Donna Kerns, Sharon Batye and Bill Brown
Worship Committee members: Joyce Blakesley, Suzanne Turner and Patty Maiers
Rev. Kate West

2009 NUT & SWEET TREAT INFORMATION
The nuts are going quickly so it’s time to get your orders in. Order forms are located in the narthex. The following are your options this year. Prices listed are per pound.
Black Walnuts $8.50 Almonds - Roasted $5.00 Cashews - Whole $7.00
Salted Spanish Peanuts $3.00 Pecan Halves $7.00 Pecan Pieces $7.00
English Walnuts $6.00 Mixed Nuts (no peanuts) $6.50
Cheddar Crunch Mix $3.50 Raisin Cranberry Sweet Harvest Mix $5.50
Chocolate Malted Milk Balls - Jumbo $5. Chocolate Covered Amaretto Pecans $7.00
Chocolate Covered Deluxe Mixed Nuts $6.00

CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE
A highlight of the Advent season is ‘decking the halls’ of Capitol Hill to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Once again this Christmas season we will decorate the sanctuary Christmas tree with memory ornaments. Begun last season as a way to remember those we have loved and lost, everyone is encouraged to participate by bringing a Christmas ornament that may have special significance, or stir a treasured memory, and hang it on the tree when invited to do so during the worship service. Each Sunday of Advent will be an opportunity to participate, and you may bring more than one ornament if you’d like. Ornaments from last year will be on the tree ready for the new additions.

“ADD 2” FOR DMARC AND CAPITOL HILL FOOD DRIVE
We have just begun the holiday season - a season of joining together with family and friends to celebrate our blessings. As we count our blessings and give thanks for all that we have the Community and Care Committee asks you to remember those less fortunate in our midst.
During the month of December we will continue to accept food and monetary donations for the DMARC Food Pantry. In the past we have encouraged you to "ADD 1" food item each time you go to the store to help fill our grocery cart for DMARC.
Now we would like to encourage you to "ADD 2" or more. The additional food items we collect will benefit an anonymous member(s) of our congregation who is in need of our help. Please bring your donated food items to church each Sunday in December. Place one or more of your items in the grocery cart for DMARC and place your additional items in the green tub for the Capitol Hill Food Pantry. The December donations will be delivered the week before Christmas.
Suggestions could include items to make a Christmas meal! As a gentle reminder, please make sure canned items are not dented or out of date. Thank you for your gifts!

CAPITOL ICE ACADEMY 2009 HOLIDAY BENEFIT SHOW
December 6, 2009 2:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m.
Metro Ice Sports Facility, Urbandale, Iowa
Because this is a "benefit show" for the Salvation Army, admission to the show will be 2 canned goods/non-perishable food donation or 1 new, unwrapped toy. Gillian Randall, member at Capitol Hill, will perform in the show.

DECEMBER NEWS

SUZANNE TURNER RETIRES AS ORGANIST AT CAPITOL HILL CHRISTIAN CHURCH
On Sunday, November 22, Suzanne Turner retired as organist of Capitol Hill Christian Church. Suzanne has faithfully shared her talents during worship services, weddings, funerals and numerous other occasions for 17 years. She was honored in worship through song and poetry and presented an Isabel Bloom statue of two carolers as a gift. Suzanne was guest of honor at the Coffee Hour that followed, hosted by the Chancel Choir.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP & WONDER CHRISTMAS EVE EVENT
*Children ages 3-12 & your parents*
You are invited to a special Worship and Wonder event on Christmas Eve at 6:00PM. We will meet downstairs in the Worship and Wonder room to have our Christmas story together. (The stories on the four Sundays of Advent will lead up to this story.) We will share a small treat together before moving upstairs to join the congregation for Christmas Eve service at 7:00 pm!

CAPITOL HILL'S NEW 50 YEAR MEMBERS
CONGRATULATIONS
SUSAN WICKER OXENFORD
SUSAN BLAKESLEY EISENHOUR
MARCH 29, 1959
JOINED Capitol Hill Christian CHURCH
Fifty years ago

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2010
Mark Your Calendars
Next Annual Congregational Meeting is
Sunday, November 14, 2010

NOVEMBER FOOD PANTRY
68 Items
$99.50

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
From Your Capitol Hill Christian Church Staff:
Pastor Candice Brown Yvonne Welshhons Patty Maiers
Lindsey Buehler Larry Oldes

Important Information: Trunk or Treat, Congregational Meeting & Nut Info

TRUNK OR TREAT AT CAPITOL HILL
Friday, October 30, 6-8 p.m.

It's still not too late to sign up to provide a trunk and treats for Trunk or Treat night at Capitol Hill on Friday, October 30th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

We want to have at least 20 vehicles this year. We came close last year with 18: 4 wheelers and one 3 wheeler. We will make our large circle in the west parking lot ONLY in order to free up the north and south parking for our brothers and sisters of PCG, who will be in worship on Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 pm or later.

If you can help decorate, contact Clare at 967-5340 and decorating times on Friday afternoon will be available on the church's blog spot.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH 11:15AM
(IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP)
Please plan on attending. Your presence is important.

Daylight Savings Time Ends Soon
Don’t forget to set your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday, October 31.

2009 NUT & SWEET TREAT INFORMATION
The nuts have arrived so it’s time to get your orders in. Order forms are located in the narthex. The following are your options this year. Prices listed are per pound.
Black Walnuts $8.50 Almonds - Roasted $5.00
Cashews - Whole $7.00 Salted Spanish Peanuts $3.00
Pecan Halves $7.00 Pecan Pieces $7.00
English Walnuts $6.00 Mixed Nuts (no peanuts) $6.50
Toffee Mix $4.00 Raisin Cranberry Sweet Harvest Mix $5.50
Pistachios $7.00 Chocolate Covered Amaretto Pecans $7.00
Cheddar Crunch Mix $3.50 Chocolate Covered Deluxe Mixed Nuts $6.00
Chocolate Malted Milk Balls - Jumbo $5.00

Prayer Concerns

REMEMBER THESE IN YOUR PRAYERS….
Megan Miller, Jondi Batye (Iraq), Scott Batye (Iraq), Margaret Casebolt, Shawn Gilson, Rev. Kate West, Wilma Arthur, Chuck and Phyllis Tillman, Sylvia Wicker, Helen Farmer, Betty Landwehr, Vesta Trullinger, Elsie Courrier, Lyle Holtman, Robin Maciak, Mary Koehler, Pat West, Helen Blaney, Bonnie Donaldson, Joy Matiewicz, Dave Randall, Barb Godfrey, Deddeh Tennih, Rev. Don Hiscox, Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning, Larry Oldes, Jimmy Tennih, Suzanne Turner, Joyce Blakesley, Sheryl Hove, Lindsey Buehler, Pastor Marvin and PCG congregation, Dr. Sharon Watkins, John and Nadine Skinner, Joyce Mueller, Larry and Marilyn Palmer, Jacob and Sara Oxenford, Norma Smith, Charlotte Dawson

We extend love and care to Kathy Poffenberger upon the death of her 89 year old mother, Alice Osborne, of California, on October 15.

Candice's Comments

Transitions are times of growth and possibility. As we transition into a cooler season of the year, we also experience transition in the church. The annual meeting approaches on November 8 when we will vote on new officers and leadership for 2010, see a proposed budget for the 2010 church year, and decide on changes to the by-laws. We also find ourselves searching for two new staff members: a secretary and an organist.
It is a time of great expectations but also a time of increased stress. Will new leaders step up and hear God's call to serve? Will we commit ourselves to faithful stewardship to support the ministries we do together on behalf of Christ? Will the bulletins and Portrait and other services we have come to expect still be provided? Will we find a new organist who will continue to provide exceptional worship music?
Yes, transitions can be great times of stress. Whether it is employment, retirement, marriage, parenthood, separation by death or divorce, leaving home, starting school, or a host of other transitions, there is stress and uncertainty in the midst of the exciting possibilities.
We are seeing a wonderful example of this as we watch the trees this fall. As green summer leaves turn to autumn reds, golds, and russets, and then fall to the ground, there is transition. If the leaves could speak, they might say, "Oh woe is me; I don't like what is happening; I want to keep my gorgeous green glow, full of life on this tree. I don't want to die and fall to the ground."
But we know that transition must happen if new leaves are to sprout forth in the spring. A tree is only alive as it goes through the seasonal cycles. And seasonal cycles. And churches find their life and vitality in being open to the transitions they face. There may be times of stress and concern, but there is also hope and possibility for those whose trust is in God and not in themselves. Alone we can do nothing, but with God all things are possible.
We are not alone; we have one another and we are blessed by a God who knows what we need even before we ask. Together we will transition into the future God has for us in all its possibilities.
Blessings,
Candice

We Give Thanks!

THANKS TO THE ONE(S) WHO...
--volunteer their time and talents in the church office while we are without a secretary
--sacked nuts to sell as CWF fund raiser
--provided supplies, time and talents for the beautiful banner created for the Regional Women's Retreat
--pick up hymnals after worship each week
--recycle at home and at CHCC
--helped with Angel Food distribution
--serve on committees
--visited a homebound member
--prayed for the ministry and leadership of Capitol Hill
--prayed for the ministry and leadership of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
--were in worship and Sunday School all four Sundays in October
--read the lectionary passages each week
--supported the annual Food and Gift Fair

Many thanks for sharing Pastor Candice, Sheryl Hove and Luci Collins with the women of the Upper Midwest at their retreat in Paynesville, Minnesota. They represented Capitol Hill well at this retreat! Pastor Candice as chaplain, led us in outstanding morning and evening worships. Sheryl and Luci participated in our Fashion Show and served as ushers at Sunday morning's worship. Sheryl also served by running the PowerPoint for our music times. We are so grateful to them for offering their gifts to us at this retreat!
May God's blessings be yours!
Ruth Winkler & Lois Carlson, 2009 Retreat Coordinators

A WORD OF THANKS

Dear Capitol Hill Family,
Thank you for such a special day you all helped create for my ordination on September 26. Thanks to all who cleaned, prepared food, served in worship and for the gifts and cards. My Bible is beautiful and it will remind me of my church home wherever I am. Words do not say it well enough but THANK YOU!
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Kate West

DID YOU KNOW...
--Rev. Kate West has found employment with Mosaic which provides services to adults with disabilities? Congratulations Kate!
--Bonnie Donaldson is now living temporarily with her sister Joan Robinson, 2612 Arnold Road, DM 50310?
--Dick and Betty Black's revised address is now: 4711 E. 46th Street, DM 50317?
--Larry Palmer and Jim Blaney have been on the recent Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. to see the WW II Memorial?
--you could remember the church in your will, like Bill and Helen Stejskal did?
--Scott Cronin (grandson of Phyllis and Chuck Tillman) participated in the National Solar Decathlon sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy?


YOUNKERS COUPON SALE UNDERWAY
The Younkers coupon sales have been a great fund-raiser for our general fund. The coupon book sells for $5, and you get that back plus more in coupons to use at Younkers on their big sale day—November 14. If we sell more than 50 books, we get a portion of the total sales for the store from November 14. Please consider taking 5 coupon books to sell to your neighbors, friends, relatives and coworkers. See Diana Collins Pallwitz for the books — Thanks!

ALL SAINT’S SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1
The Worship Committee will be leading us in a remembrance service for members who have died since November 1, 2008. This year's remembrances will include Erma Holtman (12-16-08), Colleson Tennih (2-7-09), and Linda Frisbie (3-4-09). In the New Testament, the word saints refers to Christians collectively. On All Saints Sunday we recognize the common bond of Christians, both living and dead, and the common bond of the church here on earth and the church triumphant in heaven.

HERITAGE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15
The Community and Care Committee will lead us in honoring those who have been members of Capitol Hill Christian Church since 1959, thus joining the elite status of 50 year members. Those who have been Capitol Hill members for 51 years or more will also be recognized as we celebrate the faithfulness of these servants of God. We rejoice and give thanks for this great cloud of witnesses.

2ND ANNUAL FRIED CHICKEN DINNER
Saturday, November 14
5-7 pm
Menu: Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Drink & Dessert served family style.
Adults $7 Kids (8 & under) $4
We need many hands to have another successful dinner!
Donations of desserts needed.
Contact Pat West or Sheryl Hove to help.

CAPITOL ICE ACADEMY 2009 HOLIDAY BENEFIT SHOW
December 6, 2009 2:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m.
Metro Ice Sports Facility, Urbandale, Iowa
Because this is a "benefit show" for the Salvation Army, admission to the show will be 2 canned goods/non-perishable food donation or 1 new, unwrapped toy. Gillian Randall, member at Capitol Hill, will perform in the show.

PLEASE NOTE:
Pastor Candice has a new email at home:
candicekbrown@hotmail.com. The old home address of ckbrown1@qwest.net is no longer valid. The church email address of chcc25@msn.com continues. Thank you for making this change in your records.

OCTOBER FOOD PANTRY
84 items
$42.12

News for November

COLLEEN IRVING MEMORIAL CELEBRATION

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Come anytime between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Bring a friend or three!

Okoboji Grill (in the party room)
1225 Copper Creek Drive, Pleasant Hill IA

Please sign the guest book, and look for the donation basket.
ALL money collected goes to Taylor House.
(Checks should be made out directly to Taylor House)

Finally, get some food, something to drink, and a piece of cake, compliments of Colleen's family.


CORE COMMITTEE UPDATE
Capitol Hill continues to be represented by Diana Pallwitz, Jeff Kerns, Clare Smith-Larson and Pastor Candice at monthly Core Committee meetings with our nesting congregation, the Pentecostal Church of God. Recently, a check-list of "good stewardship" policies was developed between the two congregations to ensure the building is left clean and safe for the next congregation to use it. These policies, in both Spanish and English, have been posted at the doors of the building and in the kitchen. Each leadership person who has a mail slot in the church's workroom has also received a copy of these policies. Let us all be good stewards by observing the policies as printed below.

BEFORE LEAVING THE CHURCH BUILDING AFTER A MEETING OR AN EVENT, PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE:
___ Meeting space, nursery, and classrooms are neat and orderly.
___ Dishes are washed and put away.
___ Stove burners and ovens are turned off (leave 2 pilot lights on).
___ All lights and fans are turned off.
___ All interior doors are closed.
___ All exterior doors are locked.
___ Thermostats are returned to their original settings.


FOOD PANTRY NEEDS PAPER GROCERY BAGS

DMARC’s nine food pantries are in need of paper grocery bags in good condition. The pantries re-use paper sacks for packing food items to be given out to those in need. Large quantities of these paper sacks are consumed in the process, and the need is ongoing. Purchasing paper grocery sacks is not possible due to cost, and therefore, recycling paper sacks for this purpose is our only option. If you have extra paper sacks, you can drop them off at DMARC or any of our nine pantry locations.

Those Serving in November:

Worship Leaders Elders Communion Prep.
Nov. 1 Bob & Pat West Joyce Mueller
Nov. 8 Kathy Poffenberger Pat West & Rod Green Vicki Buehler
Nov. 15 Margaret Blakesley Rod Green & Suzanne Turner Vicki Buehler
Nov. 22 Suzanne Turner & Jeff Kerns Paul Turner
Nov. 29 Pat West Jeff Kerns & Luci Collins Paul Turner

Homebound Communion: Bob West, Susie Randall, Jeff Kerns & Rod Green
Deacon Captain: Paul Turner
Children’s Worship and Wonder: Luci Collins & Donna Kerns

Candice's Comments

Summer went by quickly and now we are in to fall programming. Sunday School has resumed at 9:00 a.m. with energized teachers and learners. New and returning voices in the Chancel Choir bless worship with faith and praise. And another sign of fall is excitement over the ministries of Capitol Hill for 2010 as we prepare the budget for a new year.

The fall Stewardship theme of New Love, New Mercy comes out of the book of Lamentations. These scriptures resonate with people who have suffered or who have acquired the art of being with people who have suffered. In Lamentations 3:21-24, we read three verses that shine like a diamond against a black cloth:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God's mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in God."

The Jews for whom Lamentations originally was written certainly needed hope. They had experienced firsthand the destruction of Jerusalem and their temple by the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar; that experience had overwhelmed them. They had seen priests murdered and families torn apart, and they had been marched into captivity in Babylon.

In Lamentations’ five poems, or songs, the Jewish community cries out to God in the midst of suffering. The author of Lamentations was not writing to help people understand suffering or to point an accusing finger at people who are suffering. Instead Lamentations reveals our compassionate God who is always ready to enter the valley of the shadow of death with us bringing new life, new mercy, and new hope.

That is why we gather each Sunday– to hear again that we are not alone; God is with us. Our community of faith gathers to affirm that God is present with us in all circumstances. Out of gratitude for a God who loves us and is always with us (even when we don’t feel that divine presence), we respond with our first fruits. New hope and new mercy come every morning. The book of Lamentations invites us to bring the first fruits of our income and life to God as an act of worship.

We will celebrate the offering of our financial commitments to God through Capitol Hill Christian Church on Commitment Sunday, October 11, in 10:00 a.m. worship. It is an opportunity for us to do as Betsy Schwarzentraub writes:

"Here is the basis of our hope - Yahweh, our radically generous God! And this is our opportunity; to live out such a hope by the way that we receive, give, use, manage and share all God has given us,

Beginning and ending with our every life breath, and including everything in between”


Blessings,
Candice

Stewardship Drive

New Love New Mercy

Our Stewardship drive will run September 20- October 11 with Commitment Sunday being October 11.

The scripture we are focusing on is Lamentations 3: 21-24:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in God.”

You will hear from some of our own lamentors each Sunday. Each of us has gone through expressed sorrow and grief in our own lives.

As I recall my story, I don’t think I’ll ever get over the loss I felt on that day of June 12, 2002 when I awoke to find Richard, my husband of 30 years and the father of Stephanie and Brian, had passed during the night. I went through all the stages of grief and I thought it would never pass. I was very angry. After all, why would God do this to me? Why at such a young age? Why? Why? Why?

The first Sunday I returned to church was terrible – I didn’t even get into the parking spot and I was in tears. I couldn’t do it -- too many memories. I kept going to church every Sunday and most Sunday’s I was in tears. Many times halfway through the service I would leave and I’d end up at the cemetery. I wasn’t handling this very well. I knew church was where I needed to be but it still didn’t make me feel any better. I was bitter and angry and hurt. I kept going.

God knew I needed to be there and he made me come. Won’t you join me on Sunday – bring a friend, a neighbor, a relative, a stranger….share the good word – New Love, New Mercy.

Food and Gift Fair

Food and Gift Fair
Saturday, October 24 8am—2 pm
Cinnamon roll breakfast and Beefburger lunch will be served.
Your craft items and goodies are needed along with your hands to make this a
success!
Contact Sheryl Hove

Hunger Hike

40th Annual Des Moines Area Hunger Hike
Sunday, October 11, 2009; 1:30 p.m.
gathering at State Capitol (West steps)

11,000,000 people in the United States experience hunger.
24,000,000 have trouble keeping food on the table at least part of the year.
2% of the people in the United States live at or below poverty level.
95,314 of these are children.

Poverty in the U.S. has increased during the last decade.
In May 2009, Iowa's unemployment rate reached 5.8%,
the highest in 22 years.
Around the globe, 16,000 children die each day from
hunger-related causes.

These are not just numbers - these are our neighbors!
Please donate generously to the
Hunger Hike

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat on Beggars’ Night
Friday, October 30, 6-8 p.m.

Sign up for a car spot, donate supplies for s’mores or treats.

Come out and have a safe, fun evening!
Watch for information SOON!

Younkers Coupon Sale

Younkers Coupon Sale Underway
The Younkers coupon sales have been a great fund-raiser for our general fund. The coupon book sells for $5, and you get that back plus more in coupons to use at Younkers on their big sale day—November 14. If we sell more than 50 books, we get a portion of the total sales for the store from November 14. Please consider taking 5 coupon books to sell to your neighbors, friends, relatives and coworkers.
See Diana Collins Pallwitz for the books — Thanks!

Fried Chicken Dinner

2nd Annual Fried Chicken Dinner
Saturday, November 14 5-7 pm
We need many hands to have another successful dinner!
Contact Pat West or Sheryl Hove to help.

Nuts Available

Have we got a deal for you!!

We have nuts available. These have been in the freezer so they are fresh.

English walnuts - $5.00 per pound
Pecans (pieces and halves) - $6.00 per pound
Peanuts - $1.50 per pound.

HOWEVER, if you will take any of these nuts and bake something to sell for the Food and Gift Fair, you can have the nuts for free. This is a good deal either way you look at it. Won’t you please consider baking for the Food and Gift Fair?

Stone Crest's Annual Bazaar

Stone Crest’s Annual Bazaar
3330 East 25th Street
Saturday, October 3, 2009
8:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Remember in your Prayers

Sylvia Wicker, Helen Farmer, Vesta Trullinger, Betty Landwehr, Elsie Courrier, Lyle Holtman, Rev. Kate West, Dave Randall and family, Barb and Ed Godfrey, Dick and Betty Black, Diana Collins Pallwitz, Megan Miller, Wilma Arthur, Shawn Gilson, Jondi Batye (in Iraq), Chuck and Phyllis Tillman, Robin Maciak, Mary Koehler, Terry Aschan Jr., Pat West, Abby Kerns, Jim and Helen Blaney, Larry and Lolly Beem, Fred and Linda Abel, Donna and Steve Bever, Brian and Luci Collins and family, Bonnie Donaldson, Virginia Horton, Charlotte Dawson, Chris and Joan Miller, George and Millie Mullins, Ralph and LaVon Tracy, Emma VanderZyl, Elaine Wagner, Vera Weaver, Teresa Parmenter, Andy Hughes and Joy Matiewicz