Author: Daren

Prayers for health concerns:
Amy (Janet’s friend)
Marty Franko
For those who are
remembering loved ones...
Care Center Residents...
Giving thanks & praying for:
Our nation and leaders...
Our school teachers,
administrators, students…
Service women & men and their families…
Local health care
professionals, group home, & care center workers…
Law enforcement &
emergency service workers…
Area congregations...
If you have a loved one you would like to have added to the Prayer Corner list, please
contact the Church Office at
507.374.6885 or
secdcumc@gmail.com

Worship Attendance

Last Sunday

LIVE STREAM VIEWS

61
94

IN PERSON

18

TOTAL

78

God loves you!

SUN June 28
8:30 am Worship
9:30 am Coffee Fellowship
WED July 1
10:00 am Pastor Daren Office Hours (until 5:00 p.m.)
SAT July 4
Independence Day
SUN July 5
8:30 am Worship with Communion
9:30 am Coffee Fellowship

Join us for a Bridal Shower to celebrate the
Bride-to-be, McKenna Freerksen.
Saturday July 18th at 9:00 am at the church.

Sunday, June 28, 2026
Worship - 8:30 a.m.
Dodge Center UMC on Facebook
Dodge Center UMC on YouTube

PASTOR: Rev. Dr. Daren Flinck
ACCOMPANIST: Janet Bugarin

20 First Street NE, Dodge Center, MN 55927
www.dodgecenterumc.org
Church Office >> secdcumc@gmail.com
Phone >> (507) 374-6885

June 28, 2026
8:30 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Dr. Daren Flinck
Accompanist:
Janet Bugarin
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal

MPlease stand as you are able
CENTERING WORDS 1
0In Christ Jesus, all are welcome here.
Welcome, people of God!
PRELUDE
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
We Come to Worship God
PRAISE TFWS #2150 - “Lord, Be Glorified”
CALL TO WORSHIP 2
When the Lord seems far away,
may we place our faith in God.
When God’s face is hidden from us,
may we put our trust in God’s steadfast love.
When our souls bear the pain of earthly trials,
may we seek God’s strength, lest we break.
Let us place our trust in God’s goodness and mercy.
Our hearts rejoice in God’s salvation.
MPRAISE UMH #61 - “Come, Thou Almighty King”
MPRAYER of CONFESSION 3
Merciful God, as we travel the difficult paths of life, it is easy to forget that you are always there, even when we feel abandoned and alone. Help us move beyond our anguish, Holy One,
that we might set aside our self-absorption, even as we seek
your salvation. Lead us in the ways of life, for we yearn to feel your presence amid our deepest despair. Elevate our hearts and minds above our fear and doubt, that we may embrace your grace and mercy. Amen.
WORDS of ASSURANCE and PARDON 4
Even amid seasons of doubt and grief,
God offers us eternal life through the love
of Christ Jesus, our Lord.
MOMENTS WITH THE YOUNG CHRISTIANS
The Surprise Box brought by Kathy Bartz
PRAISE TFWS #2215 - “Cares Chorus”
PRAYERS of the PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER
We Hear God’s Word
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION 5
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Today’s Scripture Reader: Lisa O’Neil
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON (Page 17 - Pew Bible) enesis 22:1-14
MESSAGE “The Test of a Lifetime”
We Respond to God’s Word
RECOGNITION OF OFFERING
(please place your offering in the plates as you depart worship)
MDOXOLOGY UMH #95 - “Praise God From Whom...”
MPRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We Go Forth to Serve God
MPRAISE UMH #593 - “Here I Am, Lord”
MTHE BENEDICTION - MPOSTLUDE
1 The Centering Words are based on or inspired by Matthew 10.
2 The Call to Worship is based on or inspired by Genesis 22 and Psalm 13.
3 The Opening Prayer is based on or inspired by Genesis 22 and Psalm 13.
4 The Words of Assurance are based on or inspired by Romans 6.
5 The Prayer for Illumination is a traditional prayer used in United Methodist worship.
All are based on [or taken from]
“The Abingdon Worship Annual 2026”,
edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu

Live Streaming...
You can catch our live stream broadcast on your smartphone, iPad, Smart TV or computer at this app channel:
Dodge Center UMC FaceBook page
Dodge Center UMC YouTube Channel
Please note that all of our services can be viewed at the above location even after the service is over. For questions, please contact Pastor Daren.
Our Facebook Page
We have an active Facebook page that seeks to promote the ministry of our church. Announcements, events, and sharing stories takes place on our Facebook page. We also make special announcements via our page to keep you up to date on schedule changes. Go to Facebook and search for Dodge Center United
Methodist Church.
Pastor Daren’s Blog
Pastor Daren has a blog that provides insights and behind the scenes
reflections on our busy lives today. Here is the link to Pastor Daren’s blog - subscribe to it today (no cost):
revdaren.blogspot.com

2150 “Lord, Be Glorified”
"Lord, Be Glorified" (also known as "In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified") is a popular Christian worship song written by Bob Kilpatrick in 1976.
Kilpatrick wrote the song as a private, personal prayer between him, his wife, Cindy, and Jesus. He initially had no intention of sharing it publicly. However, his wife convinced him it was a "gift from God to His people" and urged him to publish it. The simple, repeating lyrics adapt naturally to different areas of life (e.g., "In my life, Lord, be glorified," "In my home, Lord, be glorified," "In your church, Lord, be glorified"). Theologically, it draws from passages like 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, which prays that the name of Jesus "may be glorified in you," and Matthew 5:16, focusing on letting one's life reflect God's character.
61 “Come, Thou Almighty King”
First published in England in 1757, it was originally sung to the melody of the British national anthem, "God Save the King," which some historians believe served as a deliberate act of spiritual subversion. One of the most popular hymns for the opening of Christian worship, this text uses many names for God: King, Father, Ancient of Days, Incarnate Word, Spirit, Comforter, One in Three. It is also one of the best examples of a text’s Trinitarian organization with each of the first three stanzas addressing one of the persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. the last stanza ties it together: “To thee, great One in Three.”
2215 “Cares Chorus”
"Cares Chorus" is a, gentle, and widely sung Christian worship song written and composed by Kelly Willard in 1978. It was released on her debut album, Blame It on the One I Love (1978/1979) through Maranatha! Music. The song is directly based on the scripture 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you". It serves as a sung prayer focusing on trust, surrender, and dependence on God during difficult times.
95 “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
This short hymn, commonly known as the Doxology, was written by
English Bishop Thomas Ken around 1674. It originally served as the final stanza for three longer hymns (morning, evening, and midnight) intended for students at Winchester College. The melody is even older than the lyrics. Before the Protestant Reformation, only professional musicians were allowed to sing in church. In Germany, Martin Luther began writing new hymns (including “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”) and taught that everyone should sing praises to God. This melody is often called “Old 100th” and is usually used as the offering song.
593 “Here I Am, Lord”
"Here I Am, Lord" (also known as "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky") was written by American composer Dan Schutte in 1979 and published in 1981. He wrote it over a single weekend for a friend's diaconate ordination Mass, drawing on the biblical stories of Isaiah and Samuel. God’s mission and purpose is stated clearly in this hymn by Schutte, a Jesuit. Each stanza tells of the needs of God’s people and the care God will provide but ends with the question from Is. 6:8, “Whom shall I send?” The refrain begins with the confident response: “Here I am, Lord.” This is a hymn for commitment and sending forth of Christ’s disciples.
These descriptions are found in the book
“The Hymns of the United Methodist Hymnal” by Diana Sanchez
and other sources from the internet.

Bible Study — Let’s Learn Together!
One of the most effective ways to grow as a disciple of Jesus is to engage in Bible Study. Pastor Daren would enjoy leading a Bible study here at Dodge Center UMC… but choosing the right time and the right topic is always a challenge. He would like your feedback.
If you are interested in hearing more about a Bible study group, or if you have an idea regarding the beginning of one, please contact Pastor Daren at this email address:
dflinck@gmail.com
or text/call his cell phone:
651.283.5754
There are a number of different options available… in person at the church, using Zoom or Microsoft Teams as a way to connect when time and travel are considerations, studies on any book of the Bible, topical Bible studies (usually a short series on using one’s time or dealing with challenging situations, as examples.), or enhancing relationships (with spouses, children, parents, etc.)
Please contact Pastor Daren if you are interested in hearing more!

The Command to Sacrifice Isaac
Genesis 22:1-14 - NRSV
1 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. And the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them walked on together.
9 When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide,” as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Be Glorified

Words and music
by Bob Kilpatrick

Kenyon UMC Financial Update
Here is the January/February 2026 picture of our financial situation:
with respect to our dedicated gifts
Savings Certificates $ 87,519.89
Edward Jones Account $ 266,585.48
Ameriprise Account $ 329,401.76
Edward Jones Account $ 100,000.00
Total of all accounts $ 783,507.13
For further explanation on any of these accounts or any other
financial questions, please contact John or Jerry.

First candle: The Prophecy Candle, which represents hope and the anticipation of Christ's coming
Second candle: The Bethlehem Candle, which symbolizes peace and preparation
Third candle: The Shepherd's Candle, which represents joy and is traditionally pink
Fourth candle: The Angel's Candle, which represents love

The Lord Calls Samuel
1 Samuel 3:1-20
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family - from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or
offering.’” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.

MPlease stand as you are able
CENTERING WORDS 1
PRELUDE
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
We Come to Worship God
PRAISE H # - “”
CALL TO WORSHIP 2
MPRAISE H # - “”
MOPENING PRAYER 3
Amen.
PRAISE H # - “”
PRAYERS of the PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER
We Hear God’s Word
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION 4
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
THE LESSON (Page - Pew Bible)
MESSAGE “”
We Respond to God’s Word
RECOGNITION OF OFFERING
(please place your offering in the plates as you depart worship)
MDOXOLOGY H #95 - “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
MPRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
We Go Forth to Serve God
MPRAISE H # - “”
MTHE BENEDICTION - MPOSTLUDE
1 The Centering Words are based on or inspired by .
2 The Call to Worship is based on or inspired by .
3 The Opening Prayer is based on or inspired by .
4 The Prayer for Illumination is a traditional prayer used in United Methodist worship.
All are based on [or taken from] “The Abingdon Worship Annual 2026”,
edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Hello, beloved friends in Christ. Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today we stand together in the joy of resurrection. Christ is risen, and because Christ is risen, everything has changed. In Acts 10, we hear a powerful Easter sermon — not from the
pulpit, but from a living room in the home of Cornelius. Peter, once hesitant and unsure, now speaks with clarity and boldness. He tells the gathered household, “We are witnesses.” Peter is giving a testimony not just to an empty tomb, but to a living Christ who walked with them, who healed the broken, who was crucified and raised by God, and who now calls them to a new way of life.
And it's that calling I want to focus on with you today, because Peter doesn't just say, “We saw it.” He says, “Jesus commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God” (that's verse 42). There it is. We - you and I - have a role to play in resurrection.
Easter, you see, is not just a private experience. It's not just something to feel in our hearts or celebrate in our sanctuaries. It's something we embody in the world. Jesus commanded us. It wasn't a suggestion. It wasn't an invitation. And it wasn't mere encouragement. But Jesus commanded us to bear witness. To preach, if you will, with our lives. To testify. To hope. To show up where despair threatens to have final word and to proclaim, “There is more than this. Love lives!
”That word, “witness,” means more than just seeing something. It means standing in the truth of what you've seen, even when it costs you something. In the original Greek, the word for witness — martyria (that's where the word “martyr” comes from), that word tells us something. Being a witness means you've been changed by what you've seen. And - and this is critical: You can't keep silent about it.
Peter has seen the risen Christ. He had shared meals with him. He had received forgiveness and reinstatement after denying him. And now, he's testifying not only with words, but with his entire life. He's now standing in the home of a Gentile,
something he would have never done before. Because
resurrection expands the boundaries of who belongs. “God shows no partiality,” Peter says. That's how he begins his
sermon. And it sets the tone for everything else.
Friends, Easter is personal, but it's never private. If Christ is truly risen, then the world should be able to tell - not just by what we say in church, but by how we live when we leave it.
The resurrection is real when it moves us toward courage,
toward reconciliation, toward justice, toward mercy.
In verse 43, Peter says, “All the prophets testify about him, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Everyone. Not just those who have it all together. Not just those who think like us or vote like us, or worship exactly the same. Everyone. That's the kind of message we've been commanded to share.
So, I want to ask you this Easter morning: What are you
witnessing to? What story is your life telling? In a world marked by division, violence, fear, and despair, are we bold enough to bear witness to something different? Are we willing to preach - not just with our words, but with our actions - that death does not get the last word, that peace is possible, that forgiveness is real, and that Jesus indeed is Lord of all?
This Easter, let's not just remember resurrection - let's live it. Let's be the kind of people who make the world stop and
wonder, “What happened to them? What have they seen?”
And the answer will be, “We have seen the risen Lord. We are witnesses. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!”
Now, friends, go! Preach! Testify! And Live! Because the world is watching and depending on us, and what we do next is part of the resurrection story.
Blessings to you, across the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area, every United Methodist, every neighbor outside, and I wish you a very happy and blessed Easter. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
Bishop Lanette Plambeck is resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church.

© 1978, 1986 Prism Tree Music,
assigned 1998 to the Lorenz Corporation

Charting the Course
Sunday, June 28th, 2026
“The Task of a Lifetime”
Based on Genesis 22:1-14
I. ...
II. ...
III.
IV. Charting Our Course in Life This Week
Here is my plan:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Answers:
1a) 1b)
2a) 2b) 2c)
3a)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH UMH #881 - “The Apostle’s Creed”
RECOGNITION OF OFFERING
(please place your offering in the plates as you depart worship)
MDOXOLOGY UMH #95 - “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
MPRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE SACRAMENT of BAPTISM - UMH #39
Natalee Jo Johnson - daughter of Jeremy and Kaitlyn

Church Finances Year-to-Date 2025

Insert “Open Our Eyes, Lord…”
“Open Our Eyes, Lord” first appeared in The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (1986), edited by Tom Fettke, and has been
published in about twenty hymnals since then. While the text of the hymn is quite simple, it connects the personal
experience of faith with several biblical references, with the singers taking the roles of the blind man (Mark 8:23–26), the woman who touches the hem of Jesus’ robe (Luke 8:43–48), and the man who is deaf and mute (Mark 7:32–37). The use of blindness as a symbol for sin was likely a familiar theological metaphor for the song’s early listeners and performers.
Musicians may want to use this metaphor more carefully in the twenty-first century due to its ableist implications. The Jesus Movement and the music it produced, such as the hymn “Open Our Eyes, Lord” and other praise songs, left a lasting
impact on the development of music in contemporary worship today.

COMMUNION HYMN TFWS #2263 - “Broken for Me”
HOLY COMMUNION
All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children,
are invited to receive the bread and cup.
Everyone is welcome to the table of the Lord.
When you come forward, please bring your offering
and place it in the plates located near the railings.
WORDS of ASSURANCE and PARDON 4
Beloved children of God, nothing in this life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Receive the forgiveness of God,
and go forth to be the loving community of faith. Amen.
4 The Words of Assurance are based on or inspired by Psalm 125 and James 2.

...

Charting the Course
Pentecost Sunday, May 24th, 2026
“The Winds of Change”
Based on Acts 2:1-21
I. Changing Times...
We are always on the ____________ of change.
In order to navigate through any changes, we need some kind of ____________.
II. Changing Times for the Disciples...
Jesus knew his disciples needed more than ______________; they would need ______________.
The __________ ____________ would provide what the disciples needed.
III. When the Wind Came...
They heard something like __________; they saw something like __________. They understood what those two symbols would mean.
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit before we can ever begin to effectively __________ the Lord.
Two reasons why the Church of today may not be as effective as it could be: 1 - The Holy Spirit has been ____________ away inside our lives; and 2 - We are __________ of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
IV. Charting Our Course in Life This Week
In one sentence, this is my plan to unlock to power of the Holy Spirit this week:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Answers:
1a) edge 1b) power
2a) precepts, power 2b) Holy Spirit
3a) wind, fire 3b) serve 3c) locked, unaware

Ministry Servants for Today...
Thank You for our ministry servants who are helping out in worship today:
Reader Kelly Amunrud
Counters Kelly Amunrud and Kathy Bartz
Scheduled for next Sunday, June 28:
ch Reader Kelly Amunrud
Counters Kelly Amunrud and Kathy Bartz
Women With A Purpose...
WWAP will meet Saturday, July 18th at 9:30 AM at the church. Feel free to bring a friend and a snack to share if you wish. Join us for an informal time of fellowship.
Adult Caregivers Support Group...
Build a support system with people who understand. This caregiver support group is a safe place for ALL caregivers, family, and friends who are caring for someone with chronic illness or dementia to share their concerns, needs and feelings.
Meetings are designed to help in the exchange of practical information on caregiving challenges and possible solutions. We talk through issues and behaviors, hoping to find ways to cope with challenging situations. Participants will learn about community resources. And every so often, we will have an educational speakers.
The meetings are in-person. FIND A SUPPORT SYSTEM TODAY! Feel free to contact Beth Hanggi - 507-261-2989 United Methodist Church of Dodge Center 507-374-6885 (Please leave a message if there is no answer.) This month we will meet on the 11th and the 25th. Normal Date/Time: 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
Bible Study...
One of the most effective ways to grow as a disciple of Jesus (and possibly moving toward being an apostle) is to engage in Bible Study. Pastor Daren would enjoy leading a Bible study here at Dodge Center UMC… but choosing the right time and the right topic is always a challenge. He would like your feedback. If you are interested in hearing more about a Bible study group, or if you have an idea regarding the beginning of one, please contact Pastor Daren at his email address dflinck@gmail.com or text / call on his cell phone 651.283.5754.

UMCOR Disaster Response...
Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene have devastated parts of the southeastern U.S. (especially in Florida), bringing
catastrophic flooding and destruction. As United Methodist Church Conferences begin to assess the damage, we ask for continued prayers for first responders and all those
affected.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they
overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend loving care to
people within the United States. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their
communities.
This basic understanding - that disaster response is local - forms the foundation for UMCOR’s US disaster training and
response. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise,
community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.
Donations to U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery enable UMCOR to respond quickly and effectively to disasters as they arise. 100% of gifts made to UMCOR go directly to help those in need rather than funding administrative and operating costs.
Together, we can alleviate the suffering of those affected by disaster, bringing hope and healing to communities worldwide..
If you would like to make a gift to UMCOR US Disaster
Response and Recovery in the United States (Advance #901670), you can make your check out to Kenyon UMC and put
“Advance 3901670” in the memo line. Our treasurer will send one check to the Minnesota Annual Conference with the same memo line number. Together, our gifts can help exactly
wherever they are needed.

Schedule Change...
With the new relationship we have with Dodge Center UMC, the worship schedule will change beginning next Sunday, June 14th. We will meet for worship one hour later at 10:30 a.m.. Fellowship will be held before the service at 9:30 a.m..
Dodge Center will begin their worship service at 8:30 a.m..
According to the agreement reached by both councils, the schedule will switch beginning in January of 2027, with Dodge Center meeting at 10:30 a.m. and Kenyon meeting at 8:30 a.m.. Please mark your calendar with these changes.
Impersonation Scams Increasing...
A common strategy for scammers is to use email to contact unsuspecting people. Phone calls or texts can also occur. These messages will often ask recipients to participate in a discreet or secret task, often related to buying gifts or doing acts of charity, therefore shielding their activities from other people. The “ask” may come immediately or in subsequent messages but will usually consist of a request for a gift card or funds to be sent to the scammer. Sometimes, requests for donations can be followed with a link to a fraudulent giving website, especially around the holidays. They also may consist of a request for a password or private data such as bank information, Social Security numbers, and passwords that could be useful to a scammer for other criminal activities. To protect yourself, follow these simple rules:
Check the email address or phone number that the message is coming from. Is the email or phone number one that is associated with your pastor, friend, or coworker? If it isn’t, it is very likely a scam. Some hackers can even make the correct email address appear, so look for other context clues in the email or text like incorrect contact information and misspellings.
Remember, Pastor Daren, clergy across our conference,
conference staff, and Bishop Lanette will never ask you via email or text message for gift cards, money transfers, or
private information. Be extremely suspicious of any such
requests. If there is any question about a request, always follow up via a known, trusted phone number.
Scammers try to create a sense of secrecy and/or urgency, especially during busy times of the year. Fight back by taking your time and looking for the clues that can denote a scam.
Don’t click on any links in a suspicious email or text. These links often redirect recipients to scam websites or allow hackers to steal private information.
Consider implementing an organization-wide or family password that is never shared electronically. This provides a secondary level of protections when confirming a request with a message’s sender.
Unfortunately, scammers use our desire to help others against us. Take care and time to get the full picture of what the request is, and who it is coming from. Most of the time, slowing down will allow common sense to show that something is indeed a scam. If there is any question, reach out the requester via a trusted phone number to make sure. By following these tips, we can successfully avoid the actions of scammers.

Kenyon UMC Financial Update
Several weeks ago, John Brown met with the church’s Ameriprise representative Karolin Lex, who updated him on the most current picture of our financial situation with respect to our dedicated gifts. The following is a brief itemization of those accounts:
Account ending in 6844 133 $ 181,556
Account ending in 5348 133 $ 117,997
Account ending in 7946 001 $ 12,406
Account ending in 2064 001 $ 311,959
Total of all accounts $ 623,918
For further explanation on any of these accounts, please contact John or Jerry.

Please contact Em Bartel for any questions regarding our church financial picture.

Card of Thanks
Thank you so much to
John Steinle and
Dianne & Rick Dalrymple
for delivering the
400+ pounds of food
to our three local food
pantries in the cold weather
this week!

Card of Thanks
Thank your for everyone who participated in serving our community meal last Sunday.
We served about 60 people and delivered another 10 meals to those who were unable to attend. It was a fabulous time to be
together for food,
fellowship and
friendship!
Thank you for being a part of our special day!

The Dodge Center UMC
Administrative Council
meeting was held on
Tuesday, April 21, 2026,
at 5:30 pm.

ATTENDANCE: Kathy Bartz (Ad Council Chairperson), Beth Hanggi (Trustees), Kelly Amunrud (Treasurer), Lisa
O’Neil (Education), Tyler Kispert (Secretary), Kim Marquardt (SPRC)
MEETING: Kathy called the meeting to order and opened the meeting with a prayer.
SECRETARY: The March 2026 Ad Council minutes were distributed. Motion was made to ap-prove the minutes.
Motion was seconded and approved.
TREASURER: End of March 2026 balance $21,619.84. (Set aside for parsonage negative -$1378.21, property taxes
were received for $2606, agreed to pay only half that are due until parsonage balance is in the positive). Memorial fund
end of March 2026 balance $18,402.40.
TRUST FUND: End of March 2026 balance $70,558.27.
TRUSTEES: grass seed was put down at the church, calling to see about filing in spots and burying exposed wire on the south side of church.
SPRC: No update on new pastor. Pulpit supply until July appointment. Michelle will contact Janet for who to put as pastor for weekly bulletins, agreed to mail $150 pulpit supply checks out.
EDUCATION: May 17th – last day of Sunday school. May 20th – Last Wednesday school
Heifer International raised $1002 – animals will be picked out on May 3rd
PASTOR: n/a
OTHER BUSINESS:
- Motion approved to get gift cards from Kwik Trip for the graduates mentioned in last months minutes.
- Annual Conference, June 16-18, 2026 Kathy will be going for our church. Discussed Love Of-fering campaign
- May 20, 2026 Dinner: Sloppy Joes, chips, macaroni salad, fruit crisps
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Tyler Kispert, Administrative Council Secretary

“His Name Is Wonderful”

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