Newsletter for July 6, 2014

The Bearing Fruit

July 6, 2014

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Karen Watson (7/12)

Offering for 6/29/2014:  $3,296.50 (regular)

Everyone is invited to stay for a potluck meal next Sunday, July 13^th, following Sunday School.  Jerry Partridge will be bringing us the message during our worship time and this will give us all additional time to visit with Jerry and learn what has been happening in his and his family’s life.

”Dear men of the church,

        It was nearly a year ago that you answered a call from Susan Mitchell, Public Health, to move me, her client, from East Washington Street, Washington, to this address in Brighton.  I think of your kindness every day.  I am doing very well in my new location.  Thank you for moving my piano.  I like to play hymns on it.

        I have a very nice landlord who even lets me use his tower for amateur radio antennas.  Amateur radio operators put them up for me.  The ground floor apartment is excellent for a person with mobility issues.

        Thank you for moving my things here.  It’s a very energy-efficient apartment.                - Jane Crawford”

Myron Graber’s first term as elder concludes on Sept 1^st.  He has agreed to serve a second term.  On July 13^th we will ask for your affirmation to have Myron serve a second term.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

8^th-9^th grade camp starts this week: July 6-11.  Camp is entering the last full week of summer camp.  Thank you for your continued prayers for the counselors and staff as they minister to the children of our communities.  Pray also for the campers as they receive the Gospel message.

Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale

The Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale Annual Meeting will be held at 7pm July 8^th at Kalona Mennonite Church.  All interested persons are invited to hear the results of this year’s sale and suggestions for the coming year.  Come and share your ideas with others.  This is also the time for the election of three board members.  Refreshments will follow the meeting.

Next year’s sale will be May 29^th and 30^th, 2015.

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray that the children of our conference would sense the presence of God in their lives and grow in the knowledge of God’s love.  Pray also for those who write curriculum and teach Sunday School.

Mennonite Agencies

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Caleb Yoder is teaching congregational and upper-level courses on biblical study and Anabaptist theology in Ecuador.  Pray for energy and inspiration as Caleb helps provide leadership for a new church in Calderón and adds preaching and administration responsibilities to his normal course load.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Pray for the recent graduates of Mennonite higher education institutions as they settle into new jobs or continue the job search process.  Pray for wisdom, patience and God’s guidance in this exciting and challenging time of transition.

Area Events

JPOG (Justice Peace Outreach Group) invites you to a Peace Picnic on Sunday evening, July 6, 2014, at Tom and Kay Fleming’s house, 1390 145^th St. Wellman.  The potluck picnic will begin at 6pm; bring finger food to share, along with your own table service and a lawn chair.  Drinks will be provided.  Following food and conversation we’ll share our own peace stories or tell those we’ve heard about.  In case of rain (or excessive mosquitoes), we’ll meet in Fleming’s house.  For more information, call Flemings at 319.646.2028 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort at netins.net.

Polen in Concert:  Polen will be in concert at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church on Saturday July 26^th at 7pm.  Polen is a 5-piece Christian electronic rock and worship band from Fredericksburg, OH.  With electrifying walls of guitar, pulsating rhythms, and pensive lyrics, Polen creates a sound that is deeply worshipful, always melodic.  For more information contact Jim Hershberger at jhershberger32 at gmail.com or 319.461.3847.