There are many ways in which our lives intersect with one another. Honoring those connections is one of the ways we continue to form the bonds of community.  Please keep these concerns in your minds and hearts in the coming days.

•         We celebrate with Art & Phyllis Hunn. Sunday was their 57^th wedding anniversary.

•         Those who were unable to worship with us due to their current health limitations, including: Kathryn Becker, Betty Campbell, Lois Thompson and Evan Kinsley.

•          Lucile Kinsley recovering in Timbercrest Healthcare following her recent surgery and hospitalization.

•         Ruth Bowman now at home as she continues to deal with her current health concerns.

•         Those among us who wish to keep their concerns close to their hearts.

•         Our sister church in El Salvador, Emanuel Baptist. We pray for the Deacon Board and Pastor Miguel as they plan ministry for 2011. We stand in solidarity and faithfulness to the gospel with them.

•         We are asked to commit ourselves to prayer for the Sudan, which is on the brink of renewed hostilities as it enters into a crucial stage of the2005 Peace Agreement.

•         We continue our prayer for peace in other areas of the world as well.

Again this year following the Christmas Eve service, we will be choosing a recipient for the Perfume Fund offerings. Be sure to join us for the service at 7pm on Friday, December 24, and then stay for punch and cookies as we draw the name of a recipient. There is still time to add money to the fund! The Perfume Fund Jar is located on the credenza in the Narthex.

 Nominations for this year's recipient will be received through Thursday, December 23. Look for the table where you can submit your nominations. This year again, persons 18 and under may make nominations, but we will also receive nominations from persons 90 and older!

If you are willing to contribute three dozen cookies for the Perfume Fund Reception following the Christmas Eve Service, please contact the church office. 982-7523.

The Family Life Center is open from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise. Nursery School may use the FLC from 10 to 11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Holiday Office Hours

The church office will be open in the mornings between Christmas and New Year’s, December 27-28-29 and 30 and closed in the afternoons.

 

There will be a special council meeting on Sunday, January 2, immediately after worship. The item on the agenda will be approval of new deacons.         Richard Harshbarger, Moderator

The Messenger Bible Study Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 20, in the basement of Timbercrest Manor. We will begin with a discussion of Matthew 22 and hopefully finish the book. Please bring your Bible and commentaries. Come join us for an interesting hour. Questions? Contact Jo Ann Schall, 982-6977.

A rough draft of the 2011 directory will be available in the Narthex one more week for you to edit. If you have changes in your contact information that you’d like to share with the church family, be sure to correct these sheets.

Church Women United invites you to bake cookies for the shoppers at the Thrift Shop during December. The volunteers report that the cookies bring smiles of gratitude to the shoppers! Please package six cookies in a plastic bag, closed with a twister. Place them in the designated box at our church entrance or take them to the Thrift Shop. Thank you for adding Christmas Cheer! 

Dorothy Weldy, for Church Women United

Both Yoga and Zumba-Gold are often flexible, depending on the weather and Holiday Activities. The church office does not always get their last-minute changes, so please call the instructors for information:

Yoga: Adria Pickett, 1-260-774-9336

Zumba-Gold: Mandy Shull, 1-317-431-5744

 

 

  

We are in desperate need of tutors. Contact the Learn More Center, 603 Bond Street, PO Box 272, or call 982-6138 to become a tutor to an adult learner. www.learnmorecenter.org

 

National Older Adult Conference

September 5-9, 2011

At Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

Featuring: Philip Gulley, www.philipgulley.org

JonathanWilson-Hartgrove

www.jonathanwilsonhartgrove.com

C. Michael Hawn, www.smu.edu/perkins

Additional conference information will be posted on the Church of the Brethren website as it becomes available, so check it often!

Registration materials will be sent to past NOAC attendees, congregations, and district offices, and will be available at www.brethren.org/NOAC around March 1.

Thank You,

Kim Ebersole, Director of Older Adult Ministries

Church of the Brethren

1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120

800-323-8039 ext. 302

NOAC2011@brethren.org

 

Many thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to this Special Offering. Half of the funds collected from your Congregational Christmas Greeting will go towards Manchester Early Learning Center. The other half will be divided between the Medical Practicum and IBE. Please be sure all designated 2010 contributions are turned in before the end of the year.