Church of Jesus Christ ~ Mt. Ayr Restoration Branch

Where Located

Mount Ayr is approximately 21 miles West of Interstate 35 at exit 12 (Decatur City).  We're located on the east edge of Mount Ayr, on the north side of US Highway 2.  Our congregation is currently worshipping in a remodeled office building on the north side of highway 2 in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Our phone # is (641)464-3435.

If you'd like directions to Mt. Ayr, mapquest is an excellent resource no matter where your location. Our address is: Highway 2 East, Mt. Ayr, Iowa 50854.

Mail for the Mount Ayr congregation may be addressed to:

Mt. Ayr Congregation
attn pastorate
15581 270th Street
Lamoni, IA 50140

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Our Church School

Our church school is held each Sunday from 10:00 am till 10:45. Current classes include the following:

Class	Lead Teacher
Adult	Various (Currently Rob Rolfe)
Inquirer's Class (12th & Older Youth)	Ron and Di Smith
Sr. High (8-11)	Diane Anderson / Steve Smith
Jr. High (6 - 7)	Janice Jordison / Lynda Rolfe
Junior ( 2 - 5)	Sue Beck
Pre Baptismal	Michael Jordison
PreK - Kindergarten	Valle Smith / Julie Mohler

If you would like to receive in-home learning (cottage meetings), contact Sherm Phipps or Rodney Bastow.

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Our Worship Schedule

Our congregation meets together at least twice a week for worship and prayer, on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Members are asked to fast Sunday breakfast and Wednesday supper at the request of the restoration Patriarchs

Sunday Worship:

Time	Worship Activity
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.	Priesthood Worship *
9:30 - 9:40 a.m.	Family Worship
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.	Church School
10:50 - 11:00 a.m.	Prelude or Song Service
11:00 a.m. till over	Worship Service
12:00 p.m. till over	Potluck *

* Sacrament Sunday only (1st Sunday of each month)

Wednesday Worship:
Prayer services are held on Wednesday nights in the homes of the Saints ~ typically in Leon, Lamoni or Mount Ayr. These are services of song, prayer and testimony. See the bulletin board for service locations..

Additionally, the women, men and youth meet separately (as indicated below) with occassional congregational gatherings for fellowship.

Priesthood Meetings:
The priesthood meet at the church the first Sunday of each month for prayer, song, and sharing. They begin at 8:30 a.m. in the classroom just off the sanctuary.

Youth:
Youth meetings are held throughout the year at the discretion of youth leaders.

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Our Beliefs

An Epitome of Faith and Doctrine ....

We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions. We believe that through atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. We believe that these ordinances are, first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,  repentance; third, baptism  by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We  believe  that  a man  must  be called of God by "prophecy, and by laying on of hands" by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church; viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. We believe  the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated  correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We believe  all  that God  has  revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal  many  great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, that Zion will be built  upon  this  continent,  that  Christ  will   reign personally  upon  the   earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaic glory. We claim privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our consciences, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "we believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If  there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.  Respectfully, Joseph Smith, Jr. (From "Times and Seasons" Vol. III, pages 709-710, 1842)

 

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Current Priesthood Members

Our congregation is blessed to have priesthood after both the order of Melchesidec and the order of Aaron. Active priesthood (alphabetized by FIRST name) include:

Melchesidec		Aaronic
Alan Smith	Elder	Alan Elefson	Priest
George Knotts	Seventy	Ben Anderson	Priest
Gordon Winkler	Elder	Danny Kinnaman	Deacon
Michael Jordison	Elder	David Houston	Deacon
Norman Nelson	Elder	Ed Anderson	Priest
Rob Rolfe	High Priest	Jim Barber	Priest
Ron Smith	Seventy	Jowett Bastow	Priest
Sherm Phipps *	High Priest	Kent Clisby	Priest
Steve Cunningham	Elder	Rodney Bastow	Priest
Steven Smith	Elder

* Presiding Elder (Pastor)

• Those desiring administration may contact any of the Melchesidec priesthood listed above
• Those desiring to be baptized should contact the pastor
• Those desiring cottage meetings to learn more about our church, should contact Rob Rolfe
• Those desiring priesthood visits should contact the pastor

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Current Congregational Leaders

All of our members are relied upon for their leadership abilities, their example, and their willingness to serve. Those currently serving in elected capacities include:

Leadership Role	Member(s)
Pastor (Presiding Elder)	Sherm Phipps
Worship Coordinator	Linda Winkler
Worship Center Ministry	Sue Beck
Music Director	Jan Jordison
Christian Education Coordinator	Jennifer Rowland
Facility Coordinator	Jim Barber
Priesthood Visiting Coordinator	Rodney Bastow
Caring Coordinator	Pat Bolingbroke
Fellowship Coordinator	Valle Smith
Missionary Coordinator	Rob Rolfe
Service Project Coordinator	Diane Anderson
Stewardship Coordinator	Cheryl Phipps
Bishop's Agent	Gordon Winkler
Women's Leader	Lynda Rolfe
Youth Leaders (Zion's League & WeeZioneers)	Bob & Jennifer Rowland; Michael & Julia Jordison
Newsletter Committee Chair	Debbie Bastow
Sermon Transcriber	Cheryl Phipps
Recorder/Secretary	Julia Jordison
Historian	Linda Winkler
Building Committee (2-yr term)	Lynda Barber, Rodney Bastow
Building Committee (1-yr term)	Jim Barber, Ed Anderson, Kent Clisby

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Member Profiles

We are in the process of interviewing members to learn more about what has shaped their lives. Those currently on-line include:

Member	Date Profiled
Mildred Smith	January, 2005
Janice Jordison	July, 2008
Jim Barber	Coming May, 2010

If you would like to recommend a member be interviewed, contact our webmasters.

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