January 25, 2009 – Opportunities of the Week

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)

Passionate Spirituality is built upon a lifestyle of prayer. This week we continue a sermon series on prayer. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” We need to display an attitude of gratitude when we pray.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Rich Ressler and family on the death of his mother, Anna Mary Ressler, on January 19. A funeral service was held at Millwood Mennonite Church on Thursday, January 22.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

‘Money Talks” is a 5-week Sunday School elective that will begin on March 1, in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour. More information is coming.

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.

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

The ACC Quizzing Season starts Sunday, January 25, 6:30 pm at Lancaster Mennonite School. Maple Grove has two teams. Jeff & Rhonda Stoltzfus and Erin Metzler are coaches.

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

We are collecting blankets for MCC to distribute in Afghanistan, Iraq and North Korea. New single or double winter weight blankets are preferred. There is a box and display in the foyer for your contributions.

CPR classes will be held on the morning of Saturday, February 14 & Sunday, February 15 following worship. The cost is $25 per person; sign-up on the bulletin board in the foyer or see Cathy Case.

Clean out your quilt closets for the MCC PA RELIEF 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.

MAPLE GROVE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION YEAR 1909-2009
Reserve Sunday, August 16 for our Centennial Celebration. The 100th Anniversary Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 pm. Anyone interested is invited to come and participate.

The Committee is collecting historical items to use in preparation for the celebration and during the celebration. Please talk with Melba King if you have some interesting items. Historic photos are needed. Cathy Case is scanning and organizing these photos. Please bring photos to the sound booth at the rear of the sanctuary and they will be returned to you shortly.

MAPLE GROVE PRESCHOOL
Registration for the 2009-2010 school year will begin on February 5 for Maple Grove families. Registration for current students is February 9. Open registration begins on February 19. Check out www.maplegrovepreschool.org for more information.

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.


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.