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FIELDS OF GOLD: THE REWARDS OF GENEROSITY In his book, Fields of Gold, Andy Stanley invites us to go to a place beyond our deepest fears where we can receive a prize beyond our wildest imaginations. It’s a book about stewardship of the financial resources God gives us, the fears that keep us from giving generously, and the blessings that we miss because of those fears. Beginning on September 12, I will be preaching a series of messages based on the stewardship concepts in Stanley’s book, all of which are based on scripture. During this series, I would like to have members of the congregation share stories of the blessings they have received from giving generously, so please let me know if you have a story to share. When wheat is ripe, it turns the fields into a sea of gold. That is the kind of harvest we can have when we sow God’s money generously. I can’t wait to see the fields of gold God has in store for us as we grow in generosity. ~~~ Pastor Ruth
Sermons for September September 5 Prayer: Opening Your Heart to God - Part 3 Sermon: “Honest Prayers” -- Pastor Ruth Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-18 Praise Band September 12 Stewardship: Dust in the Wind Sermon: “What if?” -- Pastor Ruth Scripture: Matt. 6:33, Luke 12:13-21 Choir Pot Luck & Projection System Demo September 19 Stewardship: Growing Ambition Sermon: “What If We Gave All?” -- Pastor Ruth Scripture: Mark 12:42-44 Choir September 26 Stewardship: The Law of the Harvest Sermon: “Sowing and Reaping” -- Pastor Ruth Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Choir Neighborhood Center & World Hunger Offering
COOKIE PACKERS NEEDED We need “kids” to come to the church on Saturday, September 25 at 1:30 p.m. to package cookies! These cookies will then be sold on Sunday, September 26, between worship and Sunday School. The proceeds of this cookie sale will be sent to Indra Samaniel, our child in Indonesia whom the church supports.
DISTRICT MINISTRY SCHOLARSHIP FUND The District Ministry Scholarship Fund is used to assist students from Northern Indiana District who are participating in ministry training at the Seminary or Academy level. Congregations are asked to bring an offering for this fund to the District Conference on September 18. Our congregation will be receiving a special offering for this purpose on Sunday, September 12.
POTLUCK AND PROJECTION SYSTEM DEMO On Sunday, September 12, John Lindstedt from Last Pew Sound Engineering will be here to demonstrate a projection system that the Ministry Committee and Church Board are asking us to consider purchasing to enhance the audiovisual aspect of our worship services. Everyone is invited to stay for a potluck after Sunday School, and for the demonstration which will follow the potluck. This will be a great time for us to see firsthand the capabilities of the projection system, ask questions and express concerns. The congregation will have an opportunity to vote on the purchase of the projection system at our November Council Meeting or at another designated time.
CAMP MACK FESTIVAL This year’s annual Camp Mack Festival will be held on Saturday, October 2nd. Board members will be there to answer questions regarding the fire and plans to rebuild. Current plans include a new facility to house a kitchen, dining hall and office space in the soccer field across from Quinter-Miller Auditorium. They are hoping to break ground this fall and be able to complete the building in time for use this winter. A special service of remembrance for Becker Lodge will be held between 3:00 and 3:30. Put this special day on your calendar now and plan to attend and support Camp Mack during this time of transition.
WOMEN’S CAMP RETREAT The Northern Indiana District Women’s Camp Retreat will be September 24 & 25 at Camp Mack. “Clear the Clutter, Save the Chocolate, Make Room for God” is the theme. NIDW welcomes special speaker, Rebecca Sommers. While at district conference on September 17 & 18 stop and visit the NIDW’s table to register for the camp retreat. Those registered will be entered in a drawing to win a camper scholarship or a basket of chocolates. You can also register by contacting your church office or the district office for a flier/registration form.
BLUEBERRY PARKING Thank you to everyone who signed up to help at the Blueberry Parking Lot Fundraiser! However, we still have a few slots available, so please call Cyndi Cole or the church office if you can help. Click here to see the parking schedule.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR CAMP MACK A concert to benefit Camp Mack will be held on Saturday, September 25 from noon until 9 p.m., at the Wawasee Community Bible Church, between Syracuse & Milford. The whole community is invited to come and be entertained with a melody of different artists. For more information or how you can help, contact Karen Eis at dkeisfish@yahoo.com.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEWS Ladies, if you did not complete a survey at the Mother-Child Celebration, you will have another opportunity to do so this fall. We would like to get as many completed as possible to learn your opinions on our activities. Tuesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m.:
Planning meeting in the Library. All ladies are welcome. Sunday, September 19, 11:30 a.m.,
Secret Sister Reveal. We’ll be enjoying pizza and lemonade for lunch. Please sign up with Deb Cook by Sunday, September 12 so we will know who can attend and their pizza topping preferences. (Get your lunch before the Crop Walk!) Deb is also distributing participation sheets for next season so we can get started right after the Reveal. Sunday, October 3, 11:30 a.m.: *Pasta Bar prepared by Carolyn Blackburn.
*Card/money shower for Leonard and Jenni Greene. Saturday, November 6:
Fall Retreat at Plymouth Country Club. Saturday, December 4:
Porta Pit Chicken and Cookie Decorating for Kids. Sat.-Sun., February 5-6, 2011:
Camp Mack Retreat. We will be staying in Sarah Major which requires a minimum of 35 people, so please invite your friends!
Camp Mack Corner READ CAMP NEWS ON LINE Stay "in the know." Go to www.campmack.org for the latest edition of Mackabilia as well as information and registration forms for camps and other events. MANY THANKS to all who have enabled the ministry at Camp Mack to continue without the many conveniences of Becker that Camp lost in the fire on July 11. An 8’x10’ building was built to house utilities from Becker so that demolition could begin. Special thanks to: All kitchen, office and facility volunteers All who baked cookies for camper desserts All summer camp counselors and team leaders All who collected items for summer staff needs All who help meet Camp’s fire recovery needs
Camp continues to need kitchen and facility volunteers. To help the Camp office function more smoothly, please schedule your volunteering through Volunteer Coordinator, Alice Campbell at the North Manchester Church. Reach her at 260-982-7523 or manchestercob@gmail.com. If you volunteered in any capacity at Camp Mack this year, watch your mail for details about the Volunteer Recognition Dinner scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 2010. CAMP MACK FESTIVAL UPDATES: This year’s Festival is October 2nd. PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for: The Camp Director, Staff & Indiana Camp Board
For more information go to: www.campmack.org A Quiet Place Quote: “Whenever a person feels kind compassion with love for a fellow Christian, it is Christ within him.” ~~~Julian of Norwich
TIMBERCREST BINGO PARTY...WAS A SUCCESS!! Eight people from Plymouth Church of the Brethren traveled to North Manchester on July 31 to host a Bingo party at the Timbercrest Retirement Community. Fifty-eight residents attended the party. Bingo winners received prizes such as billfolds, shaving creme, fragrances, a variety of puzzle books, Hershey bars, hand lotions, greeting cards, and individually packaged snack food items. Refreshments were also served. The Bingo volunteers enjoyed stopping at Dairy Queen before heading home. This is quickly becoming a tradition at the end of a worthwhile evening.
SEPTEMBER PRAYER CALENDAR Week of Sep. 5: Pray for all those who write, edit, create, and prepare curriculum for use in the Christian education programs of the church. Pray that those who use it may find new insights and ideas and a path to deeper and richer faith. Week of Sep. 12: Praise God for grandparents and all the older adults in our midst. Say a word of thanks for the wisdom, mentoring, and care they provide. Take time to sit down and talk with one or more of them personally. Week of Sep. 19: As people around the world observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace, say your own prayer for peace in your community, your nation, and your world, and listen with openness for what part you might play in that process. Week of Sep. 26: Pray for deacons and the many ministries of caring and caregiving that they provide. Take a moment to find a deacon in your congregation and say thank you for their service in God’s name. | |
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