January 18, 2009 – Opportunities of the Week

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13)

Passionate Spirituality is built upon a lifestyle of prayer. This week we begin a sermon series on prayer. It’s difficult to have a relationship with someone you rarely talk to. A preacher once said, “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of …

Edna Mast, who went to be with the Lord on January 11. You can view the obituary at: http://obits.lancasteronline.com/index.php?p=2256810

Leon Summers, who went to be with the Lord on January 12. You can view the obituary at: http://obits.lancasteronline.com/index.php?p=2257466

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

On January 18 the Adult Sunday School classes will meet together for a class about dealing with depression led by Mike Lusby.

Caring adults are needed to volunteer in the nursery during Sunday School. Please see Jen Eby if you are interested.

FAMILY LIFE OPPORTUNITIES

A SWEETHEART SOCIAL is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. The Cost is $20 per person. Call the church office to make your reservations.

The LADIES’ RETREAT will be held at the Eden Resort Inn and Suites in Lancaster, PA on February 20-22, 2009. The theme is “Come to the Water.” Mary Wilson, Care Coordinator at Living Truth Fellowship Church, will be the speaker. The cost is $110 per person. Registration must be turned into Missy King by Sunday, January 18.

The MEN’S RETREAT is March 27-29 at the Ponderosa Lodge. Larry Constable will be the speaker.

A FAMILY LIFE CONFERENCE will be held on Sunday, May 3. Gerald and Marlene Kauffman will be our speakers. They are the authors of “Monday Marriage.”

YOUTH MININSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

X-TREME WORSHIP will be on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00 pm. “Audible Truth” will lead in praise and worship. There will be a special guest speaker. Food and fellowship will follow.

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.

TALENT SHOW: The MYF will sponsor our Family Night Annual Talent Show on Wednesday, February 4th. Everyone is invited to share their talents that evening. Please Sign-up on the MYF bulletin board in the main foyer.

A SPORTS THEME DINNER will be held on Friday, February 27. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this great evening with lots of food and entertainment.

The MYF has ham loaves available for those who missed the sale. Contact Rhonda Umble to purchase a ham loaf for $8.50 each.

FINANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Church Offering Envelopes for 2009 have been placed in mailboxes. Contact Bill Umble if you did not receive envelopes.

EVANGELISM AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Clean out your quilt closets for the MCC PA RELIEVE SALE, April 3-4. You can recycle quilt supplies, unfinished quilt projects and craft items. See the announcement posted in the foyer for more information.

Please view the mission bulletin board in the foyer. Cambodia and the ministry of Ryan and Bethany Umble are highlighted.

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIES

The Ladies Bible Study meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. They are meeting at the home of Sue Eby.

LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) meets on Tuesday at 9:15 to 11:00 am. LIFT is a program for young mothers. Child care is provided. This week Pastor Steve and Francesca lead a Bible Study: Biblical Women's Stories - dealing with challenging children.

MAPLE GROVE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION YEAR 1909-2009
Reserve Sunday, August 16 for our Centennial Celebration.

100 YEARS AGO (1909)
On Tuesday, January 19, 1909 a meeting was held at Olds Sadsbury Church to discuss the construction of a new church building. According to records, “quite a struggle ensued, but a building committee was finally appointed.” Isaac K. Mast, Amos B. Smoker, & John A. Kennel served as our first building committee.

75 YEARS AGO (1934)
Sunday, January 21, 1934, John M. Stoltzfus led worship at Maple Grove and M.S. Stoltzfus preached on Genesis 45:24 from the King James Bible: “See that ye fall not out by the way.” The NIV Bible puts it this way: “Don’t quarrel on the way!” This was his first sermon as a pastor of the church.
M.S. Stoltzfus was ordained to Christian ministry on the evening of December 17, 1933. That Sunday morning he was selected by lot to be a minister. Others in the lot were William H. Shetler, Christian G. Stoltzfus, Frank Stoltzfus, & Abner G. Stoltzfus. An examination of Christian doctrine was held that afternoon

50 YEARS AGO (1959)
On January 19 to 30, the Maple Grove Winter Bible School was held, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Herman Glick was the principal. Instructors came from PA, OH and VA. Tuition was $1.00 per week and room and board was furnished free to students who came from a distance. There were 173 students enrolled with an average attendance of 142.

25 YEARS AGO (1984)
The Keystone Bible Institute (Formerly Winter Bible School) was held January 22-26, 7:00 to 9:45 pm. Clair Umble was the director. Don Jacobs and Leon Shirk were the teachers.
Melba King led “The Homemakers’ LIFT Program” in a book study, “The Fragrance of Beauty” by Joyce Landorf.

MISCELLANEOUS

CD recordings of our Sunday morning worship services are available from the church office. Recordings of the Sunday School elective with Mike Lusby, as well as other special events, are also available.

CPR CLASSES are offered on February 14 and 15. Cost is $25 per person; see Cathy Case for more information.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to a person who isn’t” (written in the front of the well-worn Bible of Edna Mast who went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 11, 2009)

THE WIDER BODY OF CHRIST
(See the bulletin board in the foyer for more information and additional announcements)

WEST FALLOWFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL will have an OPEN HOUSE on January 27 and February 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

Expand your world and your family through Serving And Learning Together (SALT). If you are 18-27 years old, consider serving oversees for 11 months through Mennonite Central Committee’s SALT program. Visit www.mcc.org/salt for more information.

MCC is collecting AIDS Care Kits. You can help by assembling a kit. See www.mcc.org/kits/aids for more information.

Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties invites you to its 10th Chester County Garden Luncheon with award-winning author Jane Kirkland, Chester Springs, talking on “Backyard Sanctuaries for Birds and Butterflies.” This event, held at The Desmond Great Valley Hotel, Malvern, on Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., helps homeless families build better futures. To make reservations, requested by March 10, call 610-380-1360 or visit www.bridgeofhopelcc.org.