Bulletin

August 23, 2009

Gathering

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Words

Hymns

WB # 120

Holy, holy, holy

WB # 156

All things bright and beautiful

Tithes and Offerings

Erin Cooney and Anita Breckbill

Hearing the Word

Children's Story

Brenda McLey

(younger children are dismissed to the nursery)

Scripture

Mark 6:30-34b, 53-56

Hymn

WB # 375

Heal us, Immanuel, here we are

Sermon

Christians Thinking About Healthcare

Responding to the Word

Prayer of Confession

Leader

Loving God, we come to you this day confessing that we have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves.  We are aware of people suffering for lack of health care coverage.

People

Yet we pass by on the other side.

Leader

We know there are children who struggle to grow and learn with untreated health problems.

People

Yet we pass by on the other side.

Leader

Families are crushed by medical bills and other financial burdens.

People

Yet we pass by on the other side.

Leader

When we encounter troubling situations that we don't know how to fix, we are tempted to pass by on the other side.

People

Stop us in our tracks, O God, and make our hearts bold to speak and act for those who suffer and struggle.  We will not pass by on the other side. 

Leader

Amen.

Hymn

WB # 372

O healing river

Sharing and Prayer

Hymn

WB # 430

God be with you

Benediction

Assisted listening devices are available at the audiovisual desk.

Please stand and use a microphone during announcements and sharing.

Worship Leader:  Jolene Boshart

Music Leader:  David Breckbill

Greeters:  Jerry & Sue Burkey

Children's Story Next Sunday:  Mary Cooney & Carol Knieriem    

Snacks Next Sunday:  OPEN

Nursery Today:  Kevin & Lynnae Troyer

Nursery Next Sunday:  Jay & Becky Waegli

Prayer of Confession adapted from Shannon Daley-Harris, M.Div in Materials for Christian Prayer and Study from Cover the Uninsured.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Tuesday, August 25 - David & Sharon Orr Anniversary

Wednesday, August 26 - Jeanette Harder

Friday, August 28 - Glen & Tammy Riedel Anniversary

Saturday, August 29 - Mary Stauffer

Record for August 16

Attendance:  86                                                

Offering  $1,896

August Budget  $10,705

August Offerings  $7,373

YTD Budget  $70,653

YTD Offerings  $71,236

Travel Fund  $1,150

Announcements

TEACHING - Sunday School teachers are still needed for the fall.  There are several teachers willing to share a class with someone, so you could split the teaching time with them. Preschool, Middlers, Junior Youth and High School Youth are available.  Please let me know today - Wanda Stauffer.

SNACKS ARE BACK!!  Snack time between Sunday School and church is back!!  But we need your help to make it happen.  If you enjoy this social time on Sunday mornings, please sign-up for a Sunday on the bulletin board.  Keep the food simple and sign up with a friend to keep the costs down.

WOMEN, SIGN UP TODAY - The women of FMC will have the opportunity to learn together this fall.  We will meet on Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m. at church beginning September 12.  The 12-week study will follow Beth Moore's video series, "Believing in God".  All women are welcome!  Please sign up by TODAY so that we can order you a book. 

PARENT CHILD DEDICATION - This will be held on Sunday, September 6.  Please contact David Orr if you would like to dedicate your child.

TEACHER DEDICATION - We will recognize and dedicate our teachers next Sunday, August 30.

SARA BRUBACHER - Sara is sending reports of her participation in the Peace Workshop.  You can read these on the church website.  Sara will be preaching at First Mennonite Church next Sunday and will share her experiences.

SAMARITAN COUNSELING - They now have two locations 8650 Pioneers Blvd. (on the St. Mark's United Methodist campus) and at Westminster Presbyterian Church (South St. and Sheridan Blvd.).  Their current article, Back to School is not all Smiles, is posted on the bulletin board.  For information or an appointment call 483-5117.  First Mennonite church is a Covenant Partner of Samaritan Counseling.

BUILDING OFFERING - Our next quarterly offering to meet the mortgage obligation on our building will be received on September 13. 

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONALS - The new quarter of the daily devotional booklets have arrived.  Help yourself to one right above the church mailboxes.

SHARING FUND - The FMC Sharing Fund is almost empty and in need of contributions.  You may contribute by making a gift to First Mennonite and designating it for the "Sharing Fund".  The Nurture Commission has used this fund to help with a great many needs in our church and community.

INTERESTED IN IMMIGRATION ISSUES? - Join the conversation at "And You Welcomed Me: A consultation of the people of God on Immigration", September 18-20 at Lakeview Camp and Conference Center, Waxahachie, Texas (near Dallas).  Anyone interested in a Christian response to questions concerning immigration is invited to attend this information-packed weekend of workshops, worship and networking.  CPMC congregations are encouraged to send persons to this conference.  Registration, lodging and on site meals ($200) will be granted to five persons from the conference who will commit to working on this issue for the next year.  More information at www.MennoniteMission.net/ Immigration.

TOO BUSY TO COME TO A RETREAT? - Then this is the reatreat for you!  Women's Retreat at Swan Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, South Dakota on September 19-20, 2009.  Andrea Wall will help us to spend time reflecting on our busy lives and addressing the question, "God is not in a hurry...so why are we all the time?"  This will be a weekend where you can put on the brakes, take a much needed rest, be offered permission to consider slowing down and to discover pathways to the abundant life that God is offering you.  For a schedule of the weekend, check the church bulletin board.  Cost:  $55.

ECUADOR SERVICE TOUR - Anyone wishing to participate in a Fellowship and Service Tour to Ecuador November 6-16, 2009 should contact Doyle Roth, Milford, NE.  Contact should be made promptly, as there will be a limited number of persons going and time is needed to process passports, if necessary.

MENNONITE WOMEN'S WEBSITE - Please note that information and updates about CPMC (Central Plains Conference) Mennonite Women can now be found on the CPMC website http://centralplains.mennonite.net/  (click Ministries).