Youth Education begins! September 10th, 9:30 am-10:45. (schedule available soon)
ReFrame Course: Join us (again!) for the journey of discovering how Jesus is Lord over all things, and what what is means for every area of of our life. Learn and watch a teaser at www.reframecourse.com. There are 10 episodes. We plan on beginning Wednesday, 9/13. Location to be decided.
Projects! There are several small projects around the church property that need to get done. We need help with small projects around the church property. See Pastor Jeff for list of projects and description. Time and skill varies- from 2 hours to 10 hours, garden clean up to measuring and cutting wood.
Food Pantry: Needs your help! It is looking for both regular and substitute volunteers. The pantry is staffed with two people on Wednesdays, 4-6 pm & Saturdays, 9-11 am. If you are interested or would like to learn more contact Russ Ryan
Nursery: We need help in the nursery. If you would like to be added to the rotation to serve the nursery during worship, contact Lara Kelley. ‘mo’ people, less Sundays for each person!’
Elders & Deacons= Consistory. We are in need of Elders and Deacons to serve. Information about these offices can be found on the table in the foyer.
Sunday Evening Worship, Sunday September 17th. Join us for songs and Scripture in the fellowship hall (informal setting).
Directory Update: Let’s update the directory! To add or change information either include it in the ‘To Edit’ directory on the foyer table or email Pastor Jeff: jeffa.kelley@gmail.com
Operation Christmas Child
In a few weeks, our gift-filled shoeboxes will begin their journey to children who will be told of their Heavenly Father’s amazing love and the Greatest Gift of all – Jesus! Save the date of October 29 for our packing party. Some gifts are still needed for the event. Please check out the pledge sheets in the foyer to indicate which gifts you will provide. All contributions for our packing party should be delivered to the church by October 15.
Here are some more ways in which you may support our 2017 OCC campaign:
- Pay the cost of shipping boxes and providing the discipleship booklet, The Greatest Gift. The cost is $9 per box. However, thanks to funds from the Trash & Treasure Sale your cost will be $5 per box!
- Provide food for our packing party lunch.
- Volunteer at the drop-off site during collection week.
- Provide refreshments for the drop-off site during collection week.
- Pray for the children who will receive our gifts and for all who will be a part of the shoebox journey.
THANK YOU for all you have already done and will do to send a tangible representation of God’s love to children in other lands around the globe.
A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. Proverbs 18:16
Consistory: Elders: Susan Pendergast, Kim Smith, Joan Youmans. Deacon: Mary Lou Ryan If you are in need of prayer or a visit, feel free to an elder or deacon as well as Pastor Jeff. If you, or someone you know, have a material the Benevolence Fund can help.
Get Connected: Receive the weekly email that includes prayer requests, reminders and odds and ends. Sign up through the website: www.middleburghreformed.org.
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Some Resources: FYE (for your edification)
www.waituntil8th.org – this is a good resource for families wrestling with kids using smartphones (or anyone who has a smartphone).
Also: “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?,” Jean Twenge. The Atlantic, September 2017. This article is provocative and, if even partially true, shows how the new generation is changing faster and more significantly then ever.
As you enter a new season (Fall, school, new TV season, whatever), it’s a good time for a check-in on how you are configuring your life to nurture your soul. A few books of note on Spiritual Formation that might help keep going:
Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard. A great appeal to our need to be formed by Christ with a sketch of what it looks like. He’s a thinker but accessible and practical.
Practices of Love, Kyle David Bennett. Just published (I haven’t read it all). It’s a needed addition to why and how we undertake spiritual practices: to love our neighbor! If you are feeling stuck and overwhelmed with what to do- this might offer good leverage to personal renewal.