October 19, 2008 – Announcements

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
Psalm 33:12

We welcome Dale and Kathy Mast with us this morning. They are missionaries with YWAM supported by Maple Grove for many years. They recently completed missionary service in Chile and relocated to YWAM Richmond, VA.

Jesus told us that his “nation” is not of this world. We are thankful that people from Chile, the USA and every other earthly nation, can be equal citizens in “the nation whose God is the Lord.”

WE WELCOME “Calli Ann King” to this world, born on October 11, 2008. Matt & Missy King are the proud parents. Congratualtions!

A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be a healthy church; Jesus deserves a strong and healthy body. Next Sunday we will consider Jesus and the 12 disciples as an example for a small group. They met together for encouragement and learning. They went out in service, ministering to the whole person: mind, body & Spirit. Characteristic of a Healthy Church #6: A healthy church has holistic small groups.

MAINTAIN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Daily devotions are important to our spiritual growth. We have two resources we make available to our church family. REJOICE is a daily devotional published by the Mennonite Church. The OUR DAILY BREAD is published by the Radio Bible Class. Current editions of both quarterlies are available in the foyer. In addition, REJOICE is available online at http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/resources/rejoice/; OUR DAILY BREAD can be found at http://www.rbc.org/odb. You can also request Our Daily Bread to be sent each day to your e-mailbox.

EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION OPPORTUNITIES

LADIES IN FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER - LIFT meets on Tuesdays at 9:15 am. All the information can be found at http://ladiesinfellowshiptogether.blogspot.com/. Check it out. This week Sharon Charles will teach about “Halloween Alternatives.”

LADIES PRECEPT BIBLE STUDY: We welcome you to study Genesis 3-11. Classes begin on September 24 and will be held every Wednesday (except 2nd Wednesday) from 9:15 to 11:30 am. Child care is provided. Please contact Darlene Groff for more information.

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. This week the youth will meet at Dale & Darlene Groff’s for a Barn Party.

GOSHEN COLLEGE TRIP
High school students are invited to sign-up and join a charter bus trip to Goshen College leaving Thursday evening, October 30 from Lancaster and arriving home Sunday morning. The purpose of the trip is to acquaint prospective students with the college. There is no fee, donations are welcome. Contact Steve Leinbach 215-723-8230 or steveberdine@verizon.net.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Our church is participating in the MCC GROCERY SHARING PROJECT. Grocery bags and instructions are in the foyer. Please return the bags to Sunday, October 19. The will be taken to the ACC Fall Assembly and then on to MCC.

Now is the time to start thinking about going on a MISSION TRIP to the ROSE OF SHARON ORPHANAGE in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Groups will depart and return on Saturdays:
January 17-24
January 24-31
January 31 to February 7
There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Contact Eric Nafziger for more information.

Lancaster Mennonite High School needs host families for several international students. Host families receive a monthly stipend. Contact Donna Edwards (717-397-5455) for more information.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER is needed for the kindergarten class. Contact Denyce Copeland if you are interested.

PRESCHOOL NEEDS
The Maple Grove Preschool is a ministry of our church. There is a need for scholarships for a number of families. If you are able to contribute to this cause, please write your check to the church and indicate that it is for Preschool Scholarships.

THE PARKESBURG POINT needs volunteers. See the list on the bulletin board in the foyer or visit http://theparkesburgpoint.com for more information.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE MENNONITE WOMEN will have the Fall Women’s Banquet on Friday, October 24 at Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown on Friday, October 24. Make reservations with Ruth Ann Martin (717-565-8028); the cost is $14 per person.

The ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE ANNUAL FALL ASSEMBLY is Saturday, October 25. See www.atlanticcoast.nemmonite.net for information.

MYF POTATO BAR
Everyone is invited to the MYF Potato Bar following worship on October 26. Baked potatoes, toppings, salad and dessert will be provided for a donation. Come support our Youth.

THE 3RD ANNUAL CHURCH BUILDING FUND AUCTION will be held on November 5. The Auction Preview and Dinner begins at 5:15 pm and the Auction will start at 6:30 pm.

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 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)

DON & BARB JOHNSON, YWAM Directors in Nicaragua will speak at Bart Mennonite Church on October 17-19. Contact the church for more information 610-593-6505.

BRIDGE OF HOPE OF LANCASTER AND CHESTER COUNTIES invites you to Kaleidoscope 2008 – Driving for Hope: Exploring the Lincoln Highway. Join us Saturday, November 1, 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Ridgeview Mennonite Church. For more information visit http://www.bridgeofhopelcc.org.

POSTMODERNISM AND THE CHURCH
Tel Hai Retirement Community is sponsoring a series on Postmodernism, Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm. Dr. Kenneth Miller, professor at Evangelical Theological Seminary is teacher. The theme for October 26 is “The Many Faces of Postmodernism: What Are We Talking About Anyway?” Check out this link for more information: http://www.telhai.org/~telhai/pages/index.php?pID=48

Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society has an open house and book signing with Ervin Stutzman on Sunday, October 26 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm. Visit the website for more information www.lmhs.org.

Mellinger Mennonite Church will hold a WOMEN AND PRESCHOOL conference on Monday, October 27, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Gerald and Marlene Kauffman will lead the workshop on “Encouraging One Another.” See www.mellingerchurch.org for more information.

The Hebron School will have a fundraiser on October 28 at Yoder’s Restaurant on Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm. Request information and tickets from Lemar and Lois Ann Mast at mast@masthof.com. The Hebron School is a ministry of Holy Land Ministries www.holylandministries.org. Maple Grove has supported this ministry in the past.


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 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.