Bulletin: February 3, 2007                                                                                             

Visitors:  We're delighted you are here.  Please complete a Welcome card (at the Welcome Table) and we invite you to introduce yourself during the sharing time. 

 

Call to worship     J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction:  Morning and Night Prayer

 

                I have tasted the fruit of the earth, O God.

                I have seen autumn trees hang heavily with heaven’s gifts.

                I have known people pregnant with your spirit of generosity.

                Let these be guide to me each day.

                And may Mary who knew her womb filled with your goodness

                Teach me the wisdom that is born amidst pain.

                May I know that deeper than any fallowness in me

                Is the seed planted in the womb of my soul.

                May I know that greater than any barrenness in the world

                Is the harvest to be justly shared.  AMEN

 

Gathering hymns                Holy Spirit truth divine                                       STS 105

                                                Peace before us                                                    STS 16

 

Reading                                 From The Eight Promise, by William Poy Lee

 

Congregational hymn         I saw a tree by the riverside                               STS 116

 

“Passing the peace”

 

Children’s story                  The good work of a minister

 

Scripture reading               John 15:1-4,

 

Sermon                                  God transforms our weakness

 

Hymn of response                Unless a grain of wheat                                      STS 56

 

Sharing, introductions and prayer 

 

Offering and announcements

 

Hymn of sending                  Go my friend in grace                          STS 57

               

Worship Leader and speaker:  Paul Versluis, Song leader, Titus King;  Pianist: Anita Toews, Reader, Joy Versluis

 

If you have congregational concerns,  please contact the pastor or the Congregational Life Committee:  Janet Reedy, Patti Sprunger, or Dave Polley

 

SHALOM COMMUNITY CHURCH HAPPENINGS

 

Small Group Opportunities: the following groups meet regularly and are open to interested persons in the SCC community.  You can drop in and ‘drop out’ as you  wish.  Call the contact person for information, dates, times, directions or location.

 

Moms’ Small Group

·         Patti Sprunger                                                              

 

Poetry Meeting :   Feb 8  7:30 a.m., Gertrude’s

·         Don Thackrey 

Peace and Justice Interest Group, Monday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Weaverdycks’

·         Gertrude Warkentin

·         Readers’ Club:  The Eight Promise, Feb 10, 7pm Polley-Miller

·    Priscilla Chamberlain         

Slow Cookers: 

·         Gertrude Warkentin 

Committee Meetings:

 

Finance Committee:                                            

Nurture Committee:             

Worship Committee: Monday, March 3, 7:30 pm, Weaverdycks’

Congregational Life Committee:  Tuesday, Feburary 26, 7:30 pm, Versluis

Service Outreach Committee: Thursday, 
 

Here are the lineups for February rotating potlucks.  The date is Feb. 16.  If I have missed anyone, please let Betsy Harvey know.
 
1. Host:Chamberlain/Hollander, Guests: Blosser/Burkhalter, Brubaker, Nafziger
2. Host: Harvey, Guests: Cross, Versluis, Hansen
3. Host: Ponstein, Guests: LaFlamme, Warkentin, Showalter
4. Host: Sprunger, Guests: Weaverdyck, Hicks, Nance O'Reilly
5. Host: Brubacher/Clingenpeel, Guests: Holland, Smith, Tang
6. Host: Webster-Hein, Guests: Seelbach, Shantz
7. Host: Ropp, Guests: Jenna & 1, King, Kanagy

The first Congregational Business Meeting for 2008 will take place next Sunday, February 10, following potluck.  Everyone who attends Shalom, regularly or otherwise, is

encouraged to attend and give input on the items for discussion.

 

You can contribute money to Mennonite Church USA organizations in a single, secure credit/debit card transaction at giving.MennoniteUSA.org.

 

Check out www.brethrenworkcamps.org for information on youth service opportunities for 2008.  Registration opens January 3.

 

“Genocide” is the topic for the National Youth Christian Citizenship Seminar, March 29-April 3, 2009, New York City and Washington D.C.  for high school youth and adult advisors, sponsored by the Church of the Brethren.  Register by February 28.  www.brethren.org/genbd/yya

 

 Fresh from the Word is a book of 366 daily devotions celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren.  Composed by writers from six Brethren groups, it is a way for Brethren to join in one spirit and purpose to celebrate the 300th anniversary.  You can order it  for $15 from the Brethren Press at www.brethrenpress.com

 

Living as a peacemaker can be a lonely and exhausting task in a troubled world. Central District Conference is in the process of developing a retreat to nurture, encourage, and strengthen the peacemakers among us. We hope to create a time of reflection and renewal at Camp Friedenswald May 16-18, 2008 for all who desire new energy in their work for peace. This is not a training or a workshop, but a time of inner reflection and sharing with a circle of likeminded partners in faith. We hope to make this retreat accessible to everyone at all financial resource levels. Is this something you would support financially or personally by joining us or commissioning others' participation?

 

 On Monday evening, February 4, at 8 p.m., the Center for Faith & Scholarship presents a lecture by author Lauren Winner.  Entitled "The Hiddenness of God", Lauren will explore

the complexity of relationship with God.  The lecture will be in Michigan League Ballroom of UM's Central Campus.  For more information, visit www.cfs-aa.org or call (734) 668-7421.

 

The set-up teams of 4 people commit to set up and take down on one of the first, second, third or fourth Sunday monthly and on one fifth Sunday in the year. The following people have done it this past year:  Marty and Hollis, Michelle and Scott, Leland, Amanda and David, Curtis and Shelly, Joy V., Ruth and Nelson, Paul S., Keith, Stan, Mark, Tim Smith and Gertrude.  Several of these folks have done it for 2 or more years.  Please consider making the commitment for the year.  Contact me by e-mail, phone, or in person.  Thanks.  Gertrude.

 

MMA Sharing Funds provided $500 in matching funds to support special needs in our church this last year.  Eligible grant amount for 2008 is $2000. We have 14 Shalom participants who own or participate in MMA projects and services which help fund the Sharing Fund.  Contact Gertrude Warkentin the congregation's MMA

advocate for more information.