Newsletter for January 26, 2014

Bearing Fruit

January 16, 2014

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Gay Widmer (1/29),

Tim Widmer (1/29), Joyce Roth (1/30)

Offering for 1/19/2014: $1,592.00 (regular);

    $27.00 (Coins for Camp)

Has your spiritual life been impacted by your study of the Bible or another Christian book?  Has it been so important to you that you would like to share that with the congregation through a Sunday School class beginning in March?  If so, please contact Mary Lou Farmer, Nurture Ministry of WMC, as soon as possible!  319.653.2547 or mlfarmer at iowatelecom.net.  Thanks!

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

IMS’ Chamber Singers will once again provide Singing Valentines to the community on Friday, Feb 14.  The 6-member select group of singers will sing 2 songs and present 6 cupcakes for $35…or “several” songs and 6 cupcakes in a group setting, for $60.  The singers include seniors Alaina Beatty, Shay Durflinger, and Eleya Raim; and juniors Kaylin Brokaw, Anne Buckwalter, and Hannah Miller.  Please call the school office to reserve a time.

The senior class of IMS will prepare, serve and host the annual Chili Supper on Saturday, Feb 15, from 4:30-7:30pm in the gymnasium.  Advance tickets are available from any senior or by calling the school: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12.  The meal includes chili (other options, including vegetarian, are available), the infamous cheese salad sandwiches, potato salad, veggie sticks, and homemade desserts.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Don’t forget “Coins for Camp” which will go towards craft supplies to be used for iPicks at summer camp.  Thank you for helping us replenish our craft closet.

There will be a “Marriage Enrichment Weekend” facilitated by Tim and Carol Detweiler at Shepherd’s Inn on March 14-16 with a cost of $260.  For more information see the poster on the bulletin board.

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for the pastoral transition at the Quito Mennonite Church.  The front running candidate to be the new pastor will be visiting Quito this month.

Mennonite Agencies

The Annual MDS meeting will be held March 2, 2014 at 2pm at the Bethel Mennonite Church, 3185 Wayland Rd, Wayland, IA 52654.  Church members and Church Contact People are encouraged to attend.  This year the annual MDS offering will go towards the purchase of a new used van.  Apart from the offering at the annual meeting, MDS is also open to receiving donations toward the purchase of this vehicle.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  MMN’s Service Adventure unit leaders will conclude a four-day meeting in New Orleans tomorrow.  Pray for physical and spiritual renewal as they share their joys and challenges and encourage each other for continued ministry.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Dear God of all peoples, on this World Fellowship Sunday, we give thanks for your all-inclusive family.  May we accept and respect unconditionally each child in our lives as one of your children.  May we accept and respect unconditionally each child in our lives as one of your children.  May they also befriend those who look and dress differently, those who speak and act differently, those whose preferences are different, those who irritate and mistreat others.  Help us to sense that we are a part of the family of God.  Amen.  (Submitted by: Kathryn Aschliman, Mennonite Early Childhood Network)

Areas Events

JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invites you to a panel discussion entitled “Football, Concussions, and our Culture of Violence.”  Several parents and former players will discuss the increasing severity of sports injuries and the relationship of sports to cultural violence.  Join us on Sunday evening, January 26, 2014, at First Mennonite Church, 405 Myrtle Ave, Iowa City at 7 pm for the discussion (NO finger-food supper planned).  For more information please call Roger Farmer at 319.653.2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort at netins.net.

On January 27^th Kenton, Kidron & Mira Miller will be leaving for Berlin, Germany to begin a 10-year mission assignment with MB Missions.  You are invited to Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church on Sunday, Jan 26^th to send them off with your blessings.  Stop in anytime between 4-6 pm to show your support for this couple and their family.

Better Together Youth Sunday!  All 9^th to 12^th graders and youth group sponsors are invited to come to Crooked Creek Christian Camp on Sunday, March 2.  We will begin at 9:30am for worship, food, fellowship, games, prizes and more, ending at 3pm.  We will focus on lessons that we can learn from 1 Corinthians 12.  Josh Lundberg will be our speaker and our worship team will be youth from IMS.  The cost is only $15 per person.  Please RSVP with approximate numbers from your church to Tamara at 319.217.2456 or tamarajg at gmail.com by Feb 20.