August 3, 2008 – Announcements

CONGRATULATIONS to the Women’s Softball Team of winning first place in their league!

A HEALTHY CHURCH
A church is a group of Christians committed to working together for the common goal of serving Christ. Church health begins with members who are both spiritually healthy and committed to working together. The Apostle Paul wrote, “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) Jesus deserves a strong and healthy body.
Last week we considered our first characteristic of a healthy church: a healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry. Every one of us is a minister! Every member ministers in the area and in the way that the Lord has called them. The main job of church leaders is “to prepare God’s people for works of service” (Eph. 4:12).
This week we continue by looking at the model set by Jesus. He empowered his disciples for ministry by providing everything they needed to do the work of the Kingdom. Then he pushed them out, “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) In turn, the disciples also could say to the next generation, “As Jesus sent me, I am sending you.” We are challenged to say the same.

LOOKING BACK
99 years ago … Sunday, July 25, 1909 our congregation held their last service at the Old Sadsbury Church building. We met there for about three and a half years. In January of 1909 a building committee was named and “work began at once” on a new building, according to our church history. The new Maple Grove Amish-Mennonite Church building was dedicated on Saturday, August 7, 1909 and the first regular worship service was held the following day.

CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING AUGUST 17, 6:30 PM
The Leadership Team holds quarterly congregational meetings to help facilitate communication and provide opportunity for everyone to participate in the decisions of the church. The next Congregational Meeting is Sunday, August 17 at 6:30 pm. The following items will be considered.
- vote of affirmation of the 2008-09 church budget
- vote of affirmation of 2008-09 church leadership
- vote of affirmation of Pastoral Discernment Committee
- nomination of a Centennial Celebration Committee

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

BRIDGE OF HOPE BENEFIT BIKE RIDE
The Maple Grove Biking Team will compete in this difficult ride on country roads around Lancaster, PA on Saturday, August 16 as the Nightmare part of the 2008 Dream Ride. This is a fun way to raise money for Bridge of Hope. George Metzler is training the Maple Grove team: Ryan McBride, Collin Nafziger, Matt Ressler & Bill Umble. The Bridge of Hope Nightmare Tour is a 200 mile ride around the perimeter of Lancaster County. Please sponsor our team with your financial pledge.
Get more information at http://www.bridgeofhopelcc.org/attend_event.htm#bike or visit George’s blog at http://www.200milenightmare.blogspot.com/.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR OUR MAPLE GROVE S.W.A.P. TEAM
A group of 23 will depart Maple Grove at 4:00 am on Sunday, August 4. Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) is an ongoing project that our team will join for this week. They will stay at a camp on the top of Pine Mountain and work at home repair for low-income families in southeastern Kentucky. Every evening they will participate in a time of worship and reflection.

EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION OPPORTUNITIES

FINANCE BUDGET MEETING
The Finance, Personnel and Property Commission will hold a budget U & A meeting on Sunday, August 10 following worship. The proposed budget is in church mailboxes. The members of the Finance Commission will be available to answer your questions and concerns about the church budget.



SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL ELECTIVES
August 3 – Archaeology and the Bible Part 1: The Old Testament (Pastor Steve)
August 10 – Archaeology and the Bible Part 2: Where Jesus Walked (video & discussion)
August 17 – Missionary presentation
August 24 – Archaeology and the Bible Part 3: Where Jesus Walked (continuation)
August 31 – Archaeology and the Bible Part 4: The Early Church (Pastor Steve)

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

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

X-TREME WORSHIP
Calling all youth, college and young adults to the next X-treme Worship on Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00 pm. This will be an outdoor service, so please bring blankets or lawn chairs. We will move indoors if the weather insists. Joins us as Dave Klingensmith of Sandy Hill Community Church leads in praise and worship. Kendall Kurtz, Associate Pastor of Old Road Mennonite Church will speak. Food and fellowship will follow. Come check it out!

WOMEN’S RETREAT
You asked for a whole weekend get-away, and we responded … Mark your calendars for our Annual Ladies Retreat to be held again at the Eden Resort Inn and Suites in Lancaster, PA. Dates for the retreat are February 20-22, 2009. The Speaker will be announced soon.

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)

GAP RELIEF AUCTION
The Gap Relief Auction, the oldest MCC relief auction in the USA, will be held August 8 & 9 at the Solanco Fairgrounds. The Preview and Pork Roast dinner is Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 pm and the auction begins at 7:30. The quilt auction is 1:00 pm on Saturday.

CHRISTIANA EXPRESSO COFFEEHOUSE
On Friday, August 8, 7:00 – 9:30, at the Freight Station, 10 Railroad Ave in Christiana you can hear Phil Rohrer and the band “The Sage” (formerly known as Dunamis).

THE FACTORY YOUTH CENTER will hold “Motorcycle Benefit Ride” on August 9. Enjoy a 100 mile ride through farms and woodland country of southern York County and northern Maryland. Helmets are required in MD and preferred in PA. This event is held rain or shine. For more information call 716-687-9594 or check out their web page http://www.thefactoryyouthcenter.com/.

THE PARKESBURG POINT will hold a bowling fundraiser on Saturday, August 9 from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. The event will be held at the Downingtown Bowling Palace. See Dan Bruner for more information or check out http://www.theparkesburgpoint.com/.

MENNONITE MEDIA will show documentaries about Hallmark Issues of Addictions, Hunger, Forgiveness, & Aging airing on The Hallmark Channel in August. You can view the programs on Sundays in August at 7:00 am. Check out their web page http://www.mennomedia.org/.

BRIDGE OF HOPE OF LANCASTER AND CHESTER COUNTIES invites you to its 20th Anniversary “Hope Lives On” celebration on Sunday, September 21, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Maple Grove Mennonite Church. A dessert reception will be followed by a special program of memories and a concert by Kindred Cross. Don’t miss this evening of gratitude. We hope to see you there! Bring your memories. For more information visit http://www.bridgeofhopelcc.org/.

5 WAYS FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHANGED HIS WORLD (AND OURS) is a presentation and discussion and book signing with author Wendy Murray on September 5, 2008, 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Neffsville Mennonite Church. See http://www.wendymurraywritersblog.blogspot.com/.

A MEN’S BREAKFAST AT HOPEWELL MENNONITE CHURCH (Reading, PA) will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 8:00 am. British Evangelist, Rev. Victor Dunning, will be the guest speaker. (http://www.hopewell--reading.pa.us.mennonite.net/)

AUTHOR, PAULA D’ARCEY will be at Neffsville Mennonite Church on Saturday, September 27. The public presentation at 7:00 pm costs $15 and you can also attend the meet the Author Reception (5:00-6:30 pm) for $50 (includes public presentation). Get additional information or order tickets at http://www.on-the-journey.org/ or by calling Kairos School of Spiritual Formation (717-669-2957).

HELP WANTED

Ridgeview Mennonite Church is seeking a Youth/Young Adult Pastoral Team Member. This individual would serve half to full-tim as a pastoral team member focusing in youth and young adult ministry. For more information and a ministry description contact Ridgeview Mennonite Church at ridgeviewchurch@frontiernet.net or call 717-768-3143.

Vice President of Lending is needed at Mennonite Financial. The position would be responsible for planning, organizing and directing the credit union’s consumer, real estate, and business lending functions and programs. Contact North Group Consultants at: lbishop@northgroupconsultants.com or fax to 717-299-9300 your letter of interest, resume, and salary request.

ETCETERA

CHURCH OFFICE
The church secretary office is normally open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and occasionally at other times. Ruth Ann reminds us that items for the weekly printed church bulletin need to be in the church office by Thursday of each week. You can also send your contributions to mgchurch@netzero.net.

PASTOR’S STUDY
Pastor Steve will not be at the church from August 5 to 10; please contact one of the Elders if you have pastoral concerns. Generally Pastor Steve has office hours every morning except Wednesday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and occasionally at other times. Some days Pastor Steve has meetings in other places, so please call before you come to visit.

Pastor Steve, our interim pastor, posts this blogspot from items in the weekly church bulletin. Anyone feeling called to take over this responsibility should contact him.