Newsletter for May 25, 2014

The Bearing Fruit

May 25, 2014

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Mary Lou Farmer (5/27)

Offering for 5/18/2014: $2,560 (regular); $200 (HACAP)

Amanda is preaching this morning in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Iowa Mennonite School

All are invited to IMS’ Commencement service in Celebration Hall this evening at 6pm, when 33 seniors will receive their diplomas.  Merle Hostetler, uncle of graduating senior Reggie Hostetler, will speak around the theme of “Here I Am.”

IMS’ annual Fairway Fun Golf outing is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from 7:30am-1:30pm.  The entry fee of $75 entitles golfers to 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch, door prizes, and a sleeve of balls.  It’s a great way to enjoy some golf with great friends, while supporting IMS’ Student Aid Fund!  Please contact Larry Swartzendruber at IMS for more information or to register.

IMS holds a number of summer camps, including girls basketball (June 9-12); girls and boys (younger children) basketball (June 16-18); girls and boys cross country (July 7-13); boys basketball (July 21-25); and volleyball (July 28-31).  There is also a drama camp (July 7-11).  All information, including costs, times and other specifics, can be found at www.iowamennonite.org, under the athletics or music/drama tabs. 

Are you – or anyone you know – looking to provide a service to IMS by driving a transportation vehicle mornings or afternoons next year?  There is a small stipend involved, as well as completing a bit of coursework to become a legal driver for students.  There is a need for a few people to be available for an Iowa City route; please contact the school for more specifics.

Central Plains Conference

Are you passionate about being formed by the Bible?  Come to Central Plains Annual Meeting June 19-22 in Mt Pleasant, IA.  Find registration information in your church office and at www.centralplainsmc.org. Register soon; rates go up June 1.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Jewel Gingerich Longenecker as she prepares messages for Central Plains Annual Meeting on the theme, “Joyfully Following Jesus: Formed by God’s Word.”

Iowa Relief Sale

Looking for a way to contribute to the relief and development work of MCC?  Support our Iowa MCC Sale this May 30 and 31.  Garden produce is needed for the sale.  You may bring it washed or unwashed.  Rhubarb sells well!  Cakes, especially angel food cakes, are needed for the cake

decorating booth.  For questions, call Jonas Hochstedler at 319.683.2034.

Opportunity to contribute to MCC:  It’s time to roll out the grill and dust off the pots and pans and plan a meal for your guests as you sell a meal at the MCC Sale either in your home or cater a meal to a designated location.  We are in need of persons to host these events.  If you would like to receive the blessing of giving in this way, contact Marcia Miller at Marcia at kctc.net, home phone 319.656.3242, cell 319.430.3376. 

Mennonite Agencies

Bring a friend and make a difference by serving local ministries with a diverse group of Mennonite youth!  Apply with a friend for Youth Venture’s Philadelphia team and BOTH will get a $100 discount!  Young adults ages 14-20 can apply by June 1^st at MennoniteMission.net/Serve. 

MCUSA Announcement:  Multi-Staff Congregation Leader’s Summit: Nov 10-12, 2014 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt Pleasant, PA.  Large congregations with multiple pastoral staff represent both opportunities and challenges in our Anabaptist understanding of church life.  Join us to learn together how to navigate this journey.  Learnings will come from John Stahl-Wert, Executive Board staff and peers.  Fee: $149 (includes room/board).  Email Beth to RSVP for your team: BethH at MennoniteUSA.org.      

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Pray for growth and maturity in Quito (Ecuador) Mennonite Church as the congregation goes through a leadership transition.  Pray also for founding co-pastors, César Moya and Patricia Urueña, who are currently ministering in North America before returning to serve the Mennonite churches in Colombia that sent them as MMN missionaries in 2000.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Please pray for graduates of Eastern Mennonite Seminary (Harrisonburg, VA) as they take the next steps toward leadership in ministry.

Area Events

The Sound of Washington will present their Spring Concert at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 27 at the Washington United Methodist Church featuring classic campfire songs both old and new.  The Sound of Washington is an adult special needs choir made up of individuals from Washington County ranging in age from 19-65, directed by Amy (Swartzendruber) Drayfahl.  All who attend are sure to be blessed as the choir shares their pure JOY of music.  So, hike over and join us as we present “Camp Sound of Washington!”

You are invited!  Bruno Baerg,  MCC Area Director for Southern Africa will share stories about MCC’s current work in this area on Wednesday, May 28^th 10:30-11:30 in the Crowded Closet workroom.  Come listen to Bruno share about how work at Crowded Closet translates into a powerful witness in the world.

Sugar Creek MYF will host a Burger Bash from noon-1pm, Sunday, June 1 in the Fellowship Hall.  Come for pork burgers, hot dogs, chips, and sides.  Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to buy ministry items requested by Sharing With Appalachian People, such as tools, bedding & linens, smoke detectors, toiletries, etc.