October 7, 2012 Newsletter

Bearing Fruit
October 7, 2012
 

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Kate Garrett (10/7)

 Happy Anniversary to: Gordon &; Karen Watson (10/11)

 Offering for 9/30/12: $2520 (regular)

 

This afternoon Washington Mennonite is responsible for services at McCreedy Home and Washington Care Center.  If you want to help sing & greet people please be at McCreedy Home at 1:45.

Grant will be gone Thursday and Friday this week to attend a niece’s wedding in Tucson, AZ.  He will return Saturday afternoon.

Next Sunday we will be working on the second phase of the ’12 Scriptures Project.’  This project is designed to focus on the scriptures we use as a church to identify who we are as a people of God.  There will be no Sunday School classes.

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS’s Fall Music Concert will take place in Celebration Hall on Sunday, Oct 7 at 3:00 pm.  The entire music department – vocal and instrumental – will present their first concert of the year, under the direction of Josh Tyson.  All are invited; there is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be taken.

IMS is currently ranked 27th out of all schools participating across the country in US Cellular's Calling All Communities contest.  We need to be in the top 18 by the end of the contest on Oct. 21st for a chance to win up to $150,000.  The money will be used for technology updates and student aid.  Please also pass the word on to friends and family to vote too. You don't need to be a US Cellular customer to vote.  See Susan See after the service if you’d like to participate.

Mennonite Agencies

Medicare: It’s complicated.  That’s why Kent Blossom of your local Everence office is offering “Understanding your options with Medicare in 2013” on Oct. 16 at 6:45 p.m. at Wayland Mennonite Church; on Oct. 18 at Pleasantview Home. Come find out what you need to know about Medicare, what’s covered, the types of supplemental plans offered and deadlines for enrollment. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered. Reserve a seat for yourself and a friend or family member by Oct. 9 at (877) 656.4242 or cheryl.martinmiller at everence.com.
How do we live faithfully by reusing, recycling, refreshing, recreating?

The Annual Mennonite Women’s Fall Meeting is Sunday, October 21st, at 3:00 pm.  We are working with Crowded Closet by using their space and hearing how they take our “stuff” and reuse, recycle and recreate. See projects that have been created from donated items, including the plates we will eat our desserts off of!  We will see how others are rejoicing, responding and possibly re-evaluating how we can live our lives.  Come and join us!!  Bring $10/person to cover the cost of the event.  RSVP by October 10th to carolyncyoder at gmail.com or call 319.656.5191.

Election 2012: Tired of all the SHOUTING about politics? Had enough partisan bickering? Ready for a real dialogue about faith, church and the upcoming election? The Peace and Justice Support Network (a partnership of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Mission Network) has the conversation you’re looking for. Berry Friesen, Daniel Grimes, Katherine Pitts and Jason Boone discuss what it means to remain faithful to Jesus in this election season. Join in the conversation at http://mennonitemission.net/ElectionDialogue. See also resources for deepening our allegiance to Jesus during this election season at http://mennoniteusa.org/resources/election-2012/.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Jane Goering as she participates in Bienvenidos Community training on behalf of Central Plains on Saturday, October 13.  She is taking this training to help conference meet our goal of intercultural transformation.

 Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Anna and Joe Sawatzky and their four young sons serve with MMN, ministering alongside people who live on the edge of survival in South Africa.  Pray with them for grace to see God in each situation as they often face brokenness and uncertainty.

Mennonite Education Agency Prayer Request:  Pray for the juniors and faculty from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School participating in the Social Issues Trip to Washington, DC, October 7-9.  Pray that they gain new insights and understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

 

Washington Area

On Sunday, October 7, from 2:00-4:00 pm, join Paul and Julie Roberts & Bob and Kristie Black and other area fine bluegrass musicians as they lead a community hymn sing at the lovely, old St. Michael’s Church, Holbrook.  Song sheets are provided and songs are chosen by those who attend. Everyone is welcome to this informal, come-and-go gathering.  Free admission. Sponsored by the Friends of Old St. Michael’s.  For further information contact Stephen Hanson at 319-396-8674.

Bethel Mennonite Church extends an invitation to you to join us as we view the movie October Baby, tonight at 6:00 pm at our church.  A guest speaker from Cradle of Hope Ministry will share with us after the movie.  A free will offering will be going to Cradle of Hope.
 

Sugar Creek Mennonite Church will be holding Fall Meetings October 14-15. Michele Hershberger, Chair of the Bible and Ministry Department at Hesston College will be sharing. Check the bulletin board for schedule and other details.