Newsletter for December 9, 2012

Bearing Fruit

December 9, 2012

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Martha Hernandez (12/9)

                Amanda Beachy (12/10), Mike Slagel (12/14),

Barb Ramsey (12/15)

Happy Anniversary to:  Jeff & Karla Garrett (12/11)

Offering for 12/2/12: $3192 (Regular), $150 (HACAP)

Amanda is gone today enjoying a Christmas-y weekend in Chicago with the girls.

The Young Adult Sunday School Class invites all children and youth grades 4-12 to the church on Thur, Dec 13th from 6:30-8:30 to bake, frost, and eat waaaaaaaaay too many cookies!

Meet here at the church on Dec 16th at 5:30 if you want to go caroling!  Bring cookies and fruit to share.

The Year of the Bible: This Sunday School class is reading through the Bible during this church year following the schedule given out in September.  The class is led by Roger Farmer and meets in the classroom at the SW corner of the Fellowship Hall.  Visitors and regular attendees are welcome to join at any time.

Several week ago we signed a petition on behalf of Max Villatoro, pastor of Iglesia Menonita Torre Fuerte in Iowa City.  Posted on the bulletin board is a thank you note and update on Max’s situation.  The outcome of Max’s case has yet to be determined, but Max and his family and church appreciate our efforts to help.  Please read the posted note for more information.

If you would like to write a note to Bob & Phyllis Hartzler commemorating Bob’s 50th year of ordination, there are half pages of paper on the foyer table.  These will be combined in a scrapbook to give to Bob & Phyllis on Dec 30th.

“Friends at Washington Mennonite, We are overwhelmingly blessed by your generosity.  Thank you so much for the potluck & grocery funds.  We will be eating well for quite some time!  We enjoyed seeing all of you & appreciate your thoughtful support.”      - Heidi & Caleb

Jill Widmer Lundberg has requested her membership be transferred to East Union Mennonite Church.  Brynna Garret Hemsath has requested her membership be transferred to American Lutheran in LaPorte City, IA.  Both have been transferred.  May Brynna & Jill continue to be a blessing to their respective congregations.

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS’s Music Department will present the annual Christmas Concert at 2:00 pm on Dec 9th.  Please come and enjoy music celebrating the birth of Christ, presented by choral and instrumental ensembles; all are under the direction of Josh Tyson.

The IMS Alumni Association invites all to the Alumni Night festivities on Tues, Dec 18; all are eligible to register for prizes to be given away at halftime of the girls and boys varsity games.  The evening begins at 4:30 with a junior varsity game; registration for prizes begins at 5pm; and the varsity games begin at 6pm.

Mennonite Agencies

Looking for leaders!  Service Adventure is looking for people ages 24+ to commit to a 2 year term (beginning Aug 2013) as unit leaders.  As a leader, you live in a unit house with a small group of 17-20 year olds and offer guidance and support as they serve and live in community.  If you are committed to your Christian faith and would enjoy walking alongside young people in this way, contact Diana Cook at DianaC at MennoniteMission.net.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for those who will gather at Crooked Creek Christian Camp near Washington, IA, on Saturday for the final regional meeting for discernment and counsel.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Korean Anabaptist Center, a MMN partner, is searching for a teacher of Anabaptist ecclesiology.  Korean Christians dissatisfied with the church structure are looking for new ways of doing church.  Pray for a complete staff to model a ministry of reconciliation and peace as Korea goes through many transitions.

Prayers for Faith and Learning:  Today, Bluffton University will present Handel’s Messiah.  Pray that the performers embody Christ’s message and that the audience is encouraged by God’s message of hope and peace.

Washington Area

The Sharon Bethel Quartet will be hosting another All Quartets Evening tonight at Fairview Mennonite Church north of Kalona at 7pm.

Just a reminder for those of you who ordered cheese balls from Lower Deer Creek – pick up time is Sat, Dec 15th from 10am to noon.  If you need to make other arrangements, please let us know as soon as possible (319) 656-2076.  Thank you for your support of this missions project!

Crowded Closet will have late hours the month of December.  They will be open until 8 pm on Thursdays.

Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church is presenting a Walk Thru the Bible Seminar in the New Testment on Sat, Jan 26th from 9am to 4pm.  This years’ event will be held at IMS and will include a Kids in the Book Event (grades 1-5).  For more information see the posters and sign-up sheet by the mailboxes.