There are many ways in which our lives are woven together. Honoring these connections is one of the ways we continue to form deeper relationships within community. In a spirit of prayer, please keep these spoken concerns in your hearts and minds in the coming days.

                 We pray for those who were not able to join us Sunday morning due to their current health limitations including: Kathryn Becker, Betty Campbell, Helen Hollenberg and Evan Kinsley. 

                 This morning we lift in prayer those Deacons who are ending their three-year term. We are truly grateful for their ministry in our congregation. They include: Steve & Donna Priest, Karl Merritt, Mary Lutz, Bea Knarr and Alan & Marilyn Kieffaber.   

                 We pray for the family of Pearl Boyce. Pearl died last Sunday afternoon, December 11. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:30 on Wednesday, December 21 with the service at 10:45 at the Timbercrest Chapel.

                 Lori Waas hospitalized at St. Joe Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lori is recovering from surgery on Tuesday, December 13. 

                 Jo Reinoehl who will be having surgery this coming week in Indianapolis.

                 Ercell Lynn hospitaplized at Lutheran following a fall. 

                 And we hold in prayer all those concerns in our lives that remain unspoken.

                 We pray for our sister church in El Salvador, Emmanuel Baptist. We pray for strength for the families forced from their homes by the recent flooding and hope as they return to their homes to start repairs and begin housekeeping again.

                 We pray for peace. 

 

On December 22, Jim and Jane Gratz will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary they were married at the Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio. They have been members of the Manchester COB since 1962.   Thank you,

Wendy Gratz Borman 

Pastor Kurt: 982-4233, Cell: 901-1851

 

The Family Life Center is open daily from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise.

 

 

                        and Heaven.  Pastor Kurt.

Please join us on Christmas Eve for a special worship service. Pre-service music begins at 6:40, which will include vocal solos and duets, a guitar group, and the Bell Choir. The service itself begins at 7:00 pm. This year’s Christmas Eve service includes a Nativity pageant by our children, scripture readings, choirs, carols and candlelighting. Again this year, glow sticks will be available instead of candles for preschoolers. After the service, we will all gather in the Narthex for cookies and punch and the drawing of the Perfume Fund recipient. It promises to be a rich and delightful evening.

Thank you to all who signed up to bring cookies for the Perfume Fund drawing on Christmas Eve. You may bring your cookies anytime this week when the church is open (Monday through Thursday, 8am-5pm) and place them in the kitchen or simply bring them with you to the Christmas Eve service and leave them in the kitchen. 

Needy families in North Manchester are getting help with food and basic supplies this winter with the help of volunteers from Manchester College, high school students and the community. Together, they collected 2,000 pounds of food for the Manchester Food Pantry. The full news release is below and on our website at www.manchester.edu/news/FoodDriveResults2011.htm

 

Church Women United invites you to bring Christmas Cheer by baking cookies for the shoppers at the Thrift Shop. Please package six cookies per sealed plastic bag and place them in the designated box at the church or take them to the Thrift Shop. CWU thanks you. Dorothy Weldy

 

The Church Office will be open from 8 am until noon December 26, 27, 28 and 29. The on-call pastor for December 25-28 will be Jim Chinworth (982-4881)

 

Between now and the end of the year, you have an opportunity to check your family’s contact information. If you have had changes in address, e-mail, phone or family, make the necessary changes with the pencils provided. Thank You!

 

Start perfecting your favorite chili recipe for January's Fellowship Chili Supper, Wednesday, January 18, at 6:00. It's a contest with a panel of judges. Categories are Vegetarian, Classic, and Creative. Mark your calendars and save the date.

 

The Senior High Youth are preparing for their next fundraiser: the silent auction. For the silent auction the youth will collect items of value that will be displayed for bidding on three Sundays in January: the 15th, the 22nd, and the 29th. You can help by donating items of value or offering to share your talent. Items need to be delivered to the church in the week before January 15. If you are proposing a service, feel free to include a photograph with your description of the service. Items that receive no bids will be donated to the Thrift Shop. If you have questions, please contact Jan Fahs at fahsbrownplumbing@frontier.com or 982-6405 or Bonnie Shenefield at shennyfam@gmail.com or 982-4857

·                     January 9: Workcamp registration

·                     January 15: First sub/wrap sale to go toward workcamp.

·                     February 5: Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, January 8 - Pantry Delivery and then lunch at John and Ann Hartsough's.

 

Our holiday “warm-overs” are getting used up and our bellies are content. We are comforted by aromas and loved ones. How easy it is to become complacent and forget that not everyone can have such experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of you have been following with concern the situation that is unfolding for Lori Waas and her family. Several have asked for tangible ways to help. In consultation with the family, Susan Klingler has determined that Lori’s children could use some help with the costs of hotels and so forth as they stay by their mother’s side for an extended period. If this is something you feel moved to do, please send contributions to Susan and she will forward them to the family. If there are others you know who would likely wish to respond to this opportunity to support the family, please forward this message to them as well. 

Thank you, Susan Klingler (982-6326) sklingler@frontier.com