February 15, 2009 – Opportunities of the Week

“Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)

Passionate Spirituality is shown through service for the Lord. God’s Word tells us we should … serve the Lord with all our heart and all our soul (Dt. 10:12) … serve him faithfully (1 Samuel 12:24) … serve him through obedience (Joshua 24:24). Jesus said you can’t serve two masters; you’ll grow to hate one and love the other (Mt. 6:24). He taught us and showed us how to serve, especially by washing his disciples’ feet. If we’re passionate about Jesus, we’ll serve him in the way he leads us and according to the spiritual gifts he has given us. Jesus wants us to show our love for him by loving others as he loves us. We serve, not through words, but through actions of service (1 John 3:18).

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of RUTH ELIZABETH KENNEL. A Memorial Service was held at Parkview Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA on Saturday, February 14. A memorial service and interment will be held at Maple Grove on Saturday, February 21 at 11:00 am. You can view the obituary and leave a message of encouragement at www.mcmullenfh.com.

LEADERSHIP LISTENING MEETINGS
The Leadership Team will meet with each adult Sunday School class during February and March. The purpose is to listen to your comments and concerns about the church, passionate spirituality and an associate pastor. Today we meet with the College/Career class (Nolan & Nori King, teachers), next Sunday with the Young Adults (Erin Metzler, teacher). A schedule is posted on the large bulletin board in the foyer.

CHILD DEDICATION
Children are a gift from the Lord. Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus to the Lord at the Temple (Luke 2:22). Children came to Jesus for prayer and a blessing. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:13-14). We continue to bring our children to the Lord.
Today Chris & Megan Beiler bring MASON CHRISTOPHER BEILER to present him to the Lord. In doing so, the parents and our congregation promise to do all they can to nurture Mason in the Christian faith.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
THE BIRDSONG FAMILY
Youth Oriented Concert & Fellowship Time, Saturday, February 28, 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday, March 1st at 10:30 am.

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. You can view a preview trailer on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NhpvGyJ6tE&feature=related, and episode 2 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS1Fx8sLtdE.

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

FAMILY LIFE OPPORTUNITIES

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

BIBLE QUIZZING continues. This week (Feb 15) the competition for our team is at Lancaster Mennonite School at 6:30 pm. Come cheer on our teams! Jeff & Rhonda Stoltzfus and Erin Metzler are coaches. Last week (2/8) Abbie Weaver and Denver Groff quizzed out. Get all the information at www.accquizzing.org.

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. Dwayne Walton, of the Parkesburg Point will speak this week.

A SPORTS THEME DINNER will be held on Friday, February 27at 6:30 pm. Support your favorite teams by wearing in sports attire. There will be lots of food and entertainment. This is a fund raising meal for the MYF.

Xtreme Worship on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00 pm. Music by Audible Truth; message by David Klinginsmith, youth pastor at Sandy Hill Community Church.

FINANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

A stewardship challenge was placed in your mailboxes; please contact Mike King if you have questions.

“Money Talks” is a 5 week Sunday School elective, every Sunday in March, sponsored by the Finance Commission.

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.

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.

PENNY POWER is here. Bud Eby’s class is taking charge of Penny Power this year. There are two bottles in the foyer for your pennies. These will be taken to the MCC Relief Sale in April for projects of peace, relief and development. Go to www.pennypower.org for more information.

WORSHIP & MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

“Music in the Meadow” is coming. There will be an organizational meeting on Sunday, February 15 following worship. Contact Ken Umble for more information.

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES OPPORTUNITIES

Red Hat / Pink Hat Ladies will meet on February 19 in the church basement. “Soup” is the program; let Judy King or Cora Umble know if you can make it.

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

A captain for the Relay for Life team is needed. Contact RuthAnn Bruner if you can help.

MAPLE GROVE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION YEAR 1909-2009
Reserve Sunday, August 16 for our Centennial Celebration. The 100th Anniversary Committee will meet on Sunday, February 8 at 12:00 noon. Lunch will be provided. 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
There are no classes on February 16 for the Presidents’ Day Holiday.

Registration for the 2009-2010 school year is open. Check out www.maplegrovepreschool.org for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS

Reminder: Please contact the church office when repairmen are scheduled at the church facilities. Please make lock doors when you leave.

CD recordings of our Sunday morning worship services are available from the church office. MP3 downloads of the services are also available; give Chuck White your e-mail address and the date(s) of the services you want and he will send them to you.

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

Octorara Middle & Intermediate Schools present the 2009 Variety Show on Friday, February 20 at 7:00 pm. Several children from Maple Grove will be highlighted in the show.

LANCASTER MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL winter concert is February 22 at 3:00 pm in the Fine Arts Center. See www.lancastermennonite.org for more information.

WEST FALLOWFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL will have an OPEN HOUSE on February 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Visit www.wfcs.org for more information.

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.