November 2, 2008 – Announcements

X-TREME WORSHIP
Tuesday, November 4, 7:00 pm
Rebecca Zurbrick will speak about her call to mission. Rebecca is appointed by the Bible Fellowship Church Board of Missions for ministry with CAM International. She plans to leave for Uruguay in January and eventually go to Spain. Come hear her story.

A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be a healthy church; Jesus deserves a strong and healthy body. Today we consider our relationship with people who aren’t Christians. As we get to know them, we find that they have needs: maybe food and shelter, maybe love and caring, perhaps a friend to talk with. Certainly they need forgiveness and salvation. Some people we come into contact with are disagreeable or just plain mean. We need to love them. Once we too were “enemies” of God (Colossians 1:21), but God loves us and showed that love through Jesus. We need to be Christ-like, seeking and saving the lost. Characteristic of a Healthy Church #7: A healthy church has need-oriented evangelism.

LOOKING BACK
The church is just people. This has been evident throughout Maple Grove history. The “Maple Breezes” was a newsletter published from May 1953 into the 1990s. Some can remember getting together to type the stencils and turn the crank on the mimeograph machine.

55 years ago, the October 1953 issue reported that Sewing Circle was held at Elam Shenk’s home. Emmanuel Peachey held revival services. A shower was held for Glenda and Leon Mast at the Amos Mast home. Willis and Blanche Umble reported on their Minnesota trip to teach Bible School. Ray Glick made a plea to the youth to enter Voluntary Service. Lila Hess cared for little Billy Stoltzfus during his mother’s illness. Violet Fisher, in Grade 7 at West Fallowfield School, wrote about her substitute teacher, Don Mast, who was filling in while Miss Frey was making wedding preparations. Gid and Ruth Stoltzfus wrote about Ruth’s miraculous healing in an article “God Answers Prayer.”

The Sewing Circle still meets; God’s people still care for and encourage one another; Bible Schools are still taught; God still heals. The church still is just people like you and me, doing their best to be God’s people in this world.

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 we will have “Christmas through the Eyes of the Women: Elizabeth, Mary and Mary’s Mother” led by Dottie Frey, Marian Leaman, and Elizabeth Mills.

LADIES PRECEPT BIBLE STUDY led by Darlene Groff: We welcome you to study Genesis 3-11. Classes began on September 24 and are held every Wednesday (except 2nd Wednesday) from 9:15 to 11:30 am. Child care is provided.

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 help with the church auction.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

MAPLE GROVE SEWING CIRCLE meets on Wednesday, November 5 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. All willing hands are welcome!

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 (FULL)
January 24-31
January 31 to February 7
There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Contact Eric Nafziger 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.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

PUMPKIN OLYMPICS
The Glen Run Valley Farm will host the 9th Annual Pumpkin Olympics on Sunday, November 9, 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Don’t miss pumpkin games, snacks, and the great pumpkin roll. The Glen Run Valley Farm is at 280 Lenover Road, Atglen.

WOMEN’S RETREAT
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)

Ridgeview Mennonite Church presents “TATTERED AND WORN: An Eccentric Look at the Good Book” on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 pm. Checkout www.ridgeviewmennonite.org for more information.

The Promise Players present “FATHERS ANONYMOUS: A Sketch Revue by Paul McCusker” at Lampeter Church of The Brethren, Nov 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 pm and Nov 9 & 16 at 2:30 pm

TEL HAI CAMP AND CONFERENCE needs farmers to care for one or more of the camp horses from now to June 2009. Call Noelle at 610-273-3969 for more information.

POSTMODERNISM AND THE CHURCH
Tel Hai Retirement Community is sponsoring a series on Postmodernism. Dr. Kenneth Miller, professor at Evangelical Theological Seminary is teacher. The next program is Sunday, November 9, 6:00 pm at Tel Hai. The theme for November 9 is “The Place of the Church in a Postmodern World.” Check out this link for more information: http://www.telhai.org/~telhai/pages/index.php?pID=48

CHRISTIANA EXPRESSO COFFEEHOUSE presents Hiram Ring and Angel’s Wake, Friday, November 14, 7:00 to 9:30 pm.