Friday, May 16, 2008

May 18, 2008 – Announcements

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Tonight (May 18, 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall) we will have our quarterly congregational meeting. The agenda will include a vote on the building improvement projects, Leadership Team up-date, the creation of a women’s ministries commission, and the creation of a Pastor-Congregation Relationship Committee (PCRC). Absentee ballots are available in the foyer for member who will not be able to attend tonight’s meeting.

SOME LESSONS FROM NOAH’S ARK
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 100 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

CHILD DEDICATION
Children are a gift from God. Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus to the Lord at the Temple (Luke 2:22). People brought their children to Jesus for prayer and a blessing. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:13-14). We continue to bring our children to the Lord.
On May 18, Brandon & Rhonda Umble bring Grant Jordan Umble to present him to the Lord. In doing so, the parents and the congregation promise to do all they can to nurture Grant in the Christian faith.

LOST AND FOUND
Please check the lost and found box at the top of the new stairwell and items left on the coat racks in the foyer. These items will be donated to the Re-Uzit shop (http://www.reuzit.com/) at the end of May.

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
Remember to pray for the leaders of our congregation. The Evangelism & Service Commission will meet today following worship. The purpose of the Evangelism & Service Commission is to seriously pursue the mandate of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all people by going forth in evangelism, mission and service. Contact Tim Fritz, Director of Evangelism & Service, or a commission member if you have comments or concerns to be brought to their attention.
The Family Life Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 21. The purpose of the Family Life Commission is to enrich family living in our congregation and to provide a forum for families in crisis. Contact Nelson Stoltzfus, Director of Family Life, or a commission member if you have comments or concerns to be brought to their attention.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

RAH! RAH!
Cheer on our Men’s softball team at the West Fallowfield Christian School! This week they play Media on Monday, May 19 at 8:30 pm and the Shockers on Thursday, May 22 at 8:30 pm.

ATTENTION WOMEN
The Red Hat / Pink Hat Ladies will meet for fun and fellowship on Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 pm at Harry’s Diner in Sadsburyville. (see http://www.harryshotdogs.com/ for menu and directions) Give your RSVP to Sue Eby by May 18.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

MISSIONARY SUPPORT DINNER
Maple Grove’s own Allen Umble is preparing to leave for missionary work in Albania. Allen will speak to us in worship on Sunday, June 1. Everyone is invited to attend the missionary support fellowship meal for Allen following worship that day. Contributions may be made to the church for Allen Umble to return to Albania for missionary service with the Virginia Mennonite Missions. Mark your check with “VMM-Allen Umble;” these gifts will go in addition to the church budget contribution.

Thank you
With the help of everyone, we were able to provide 53 relief buckets for MCC. There was a total of $1541 collected. Thanks to all who contributed.

VBS IS COMING June 15-19
On the bulletin board you will find sign up sheets for the different jobs. Please look over the different needs and see where you fit in. Sign up to help! There is also a list of items needed for VBS posted. Please put your contributions in the box in the foyer. Register online at https://www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/maplegrove.

MAPLE GROVE WILL HOLD AN OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERT on July 13th.
Save the date for:
- an afternoon and evening of music
- an outdoor open air concert
- featuring local talent
- including traditional hymns
- an evening concert by the Birdsong Family (returning by popular demand)
Come help with the planning – many hands are needed. Contact Ken Umble, Concert Coordinator, if you can help.

The RELAY FOR LIFE is June 20 & 21. Ruth Ann Bruner is looking for people to be on her team. There is a sign-up table in the foyer. June 6 is the 4th Annual LanChester Golf Outing at Moccasin Run in support of Relay for Life. Everyone is encouraged to sign-up.

EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY SCHOOL ELECTIVES
May through August there will be “optional” classes taught in the main auditorium. There will be a different topic each week. This week we continue the series on “Ten Financial Commitments” led by George Metzler.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
A Women’s Bible Study is held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the home of Sue Eby. Melba King leads the study on the book “Woman of God” by Cindy Bunch. All women are invited.

MYF (Mennonite Youth Fellowship) meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.
This is a time of fun and spiritual growth for youth in grades 9 to 12.

Are you looking for rewarding experience? Come teach Sunday school. Talk to Denyce Copeland; a teacher for the 3&4 year old class is needed to start in September.

STEWARDSHIP

May 11 Offering $9383
The Building Fund current loan amount $51,900

RELIEF FOR MYANMAR
We are collecting funds to aid the cyclone relief and recovery in Myanmar (formerly Burma). See the insert in this week’s news bulletin or http://www.mcc.org/myanmarrelief/ for more information. Contributions should be clearly marked MCC – Myanmar and placed in the offering plate.

THE WIDER BODY OF CHRIST
(You can get more information about any of these events by looking at the bulletin board in the foyer or by calling the church office)

LANCASTER MENNONITE SCHOOL will hold a Spring Open House Today, Sunday, May 18 for parents and students exploring Christian education in grades preK to 12. The open house will run from 1 to 3 pm in the Alumni Dining Hall of the Lancaster Campus and will include campus tours, refreshments and information about the four campuses. The high school Spring Concert will follow at 3 pm in the Fine Arts Center. For more information visit http://www.lancastermennonite.org/.

CAMP HEBRON FUND RAISER
Camp Hebron (www.camphebron.org) will hold a fund raising event on Saturday, June 14. Phredd McNaughton will give a children’s concert and there will be a chicken barbecue. Check the web page for more information.

Speaking of Peace: A Festival of the Arts at Frazer Mennonite
Calling All Artists! Frazer Mennonite Church is soliciting original works of art for Speaking of Peace: A Festival of the Arts which will be held Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 1 - 9pm. The festival will provide an intersection of faith, art and peacemaking that is designed to spark an interactive exchange that is authentic and visionary. Original work will be accepted in many mediums. For more details please contact Sharon Thompsonowak at artofpeace@frazermennonite.org or check out the web-page http://www.frazermennonite.org/home.htm.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The Maple Grove Mennonite Preschool has an opening for an assistant teacher in the 3 year old class for the 2008-2009 school year. Please contact Judi Woods, Preschool Director, for more information (610-593-1159 or mgpreschool@epix.net).

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