Newsletter for December 14, 2014

The Bearing Fruit

December 14, 2014

A Look Ahead     

Christmas Caroling, 5pm                                Dec 21

Christmas Eve Service, 6pm                           Dec 24

   

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Barb Ramsey (12/15),

Jason Litwiller (12/20)

Happy Anniversary to:  Mike & Andrea Leyden (12/17)

Offering for 12/7/2014: $2,795 (regular)

“I would like to thank my Washington Mennonite Church family for the floral bouquet hand delivered by Amanda and Andrea while I was at Mercy Hospital and the get well cards, notes of encouragement, visits, food and telephone calls I have received during my hospitalization and since returning home.  My church family is so important to me and I love each one of you.  Blessings to you as you prepare for the holidays and Dinner Theatre.  Much to my dismay I am on the side lines with only touch toe weight bearing.  Blessings.”  - Phyllis Litwiller

Christmas Caroling December 21^st.  Please meet at the church to assemble cookie plates at 5:00 (so bring cookies or fruit to share).  We’ll spread Christmas cheer throughout the town and we’ll meet back at the church for our own Christmas celebration, so bring goodies for that also.  Questions?  Ask Megan Miller.   – Frivolity Committee

This Christmas Eve service this year will be at 6:00pm.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Camp’s Fall Fundraiser will benefit a major renovation: the Pavilion walk in freezer and cooler.  We have received $12,031 or 47% to our goal of $25,745.  This renovation will provide energy savings as well as structural improvements for storing food and ingredients for homemade meals during summer camp.  We also hope to purchase 4 beds and a finish mower.  Thank you for giving towards a life changing experience for children at camp!

Iowa Mennonite School

The IMS Music department, under the direction of Josh Tyson, will present the annual Christmas Concert at 3pm this afternoon.  All choral groups, including Chorale, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers, will present…as well as the Symphonic Band.  There is no admission, but a free-will offering will be taken in support of the music program at IMS.  All are invited to attend.

Following the IMS Music Concert this afternoon, all 6^th-8^th graders and their families are invited to a gathering in the upper foyer and gym area; there will be games and refreshments, as well as an activity with Susan See’s piano students.  The IMS Compassion Club is helping host the event.

The IMS Alumni Association, along with area businesses, is hosting the annual Alumni Night festivities at the school, on Saturday, Dec 20.  There are four ballgames on tap, beginning with a 2pm JV girls game, followed by the JV boys, varsity girls, and varsity boys.  Alumni are encouraged to register for prizes to be given away at halftime of the girls and boys varsity games…registration for prizes will open at 4pm; alumni will also be given coupons to redeem at the concession stand.

Central Plains Conference

The Central Plains Mennonite Conference Ecuador Partnership is organizing a work team to travel to Ecuador late February-early March, 2015 to work on a church building located 2 hours outside of Quito, Ecuador.  For more information contact Doyle Roth at 402.761.2847 or 402.641.0266 or by email at doyleroth at hotmail.com.

 

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for pastors of our conference congregations, that they may lead us by the power of the Holy Spirit to grow as communities of grace, joy and peace.

Mennonite Agencies

Combine faith with your career!  Serve for a year with Mennonite Voluntary Service and join a team of talented people making a positive impact on communities across the US.  MennoniteMission.net/Serve.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Alfonsina Oyanguren, who serves in Argentina with MMN, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  She has to travel 800 miles for surgery and a treatment regimen.  Pray for peace and healing for Alfonsina.  Pray also for husband, José, and their four children as they miss Alfonsina at home.

MEA Prayers for Faith and Learning:  Pray for motivation and clarity of vision for students graduating from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Va. In December and for those anticipating graduation in April. 

Area Announcements

Friday, Nov 21^st, the Ten Thousand Villages holiday store opened.  Store hours are: Mon-Wed & Fri 11-6, Thu 11-8, Sat 10-6, and Sun 12-5.  The store is located where the Wedge Pizzeria was located, 136 S Dubuque St, Iowa City.  Stop in and support the artisans.

You are invited to a respite weekend, Come to the Water is for adults experiencing grief, loss or health challenges of a loved one or yourself at Crooked Creek Christian Camp, Jan 16-17, 2015.  Come, rest and share with other who understand.  Watch for more information coming soon.  For all questions about the weekend’s content please contact Diane Zaerr Brenneman at 319.646.2371 or email parsondzb at netins.net.  For reservation and payment to attend please contact the camp office ccccamp at iowatelecom.net or call 319.653.3611 by Jan 7, 2015.  Brochures with more information can be found above the mailboxes.