Christmas Eve Service
Join us this evening for a time of fellowship (cookies & hot chocolate) at 6:30pm with a worship service beginning at 7:00pm.
Poetry Reflection Service – December 31
Calling all participants for a poetry reflection service on Sunday, December 31! Please contact Pastor Alvis if you would like to contribute. We are looking for people to read a favorite poem, part of scripture, or song, and say a bit about why it is meaningful to you. The theme of the service will be “light in the darkness – hope for the new year.” You could also suggest something for someone else to read, or volunteer to read something that is given to you. Please respond by Wednesday, December 27 with how you can help, so we can work on putting the service together. Please note, this service will NOT be livestreamed.
Year End Giving
As we near year end, please consider donating to your Church. We have an annual church offering budget of $97,000 and as of the end of November we have received $82,000. We don’t expect to receive all of that in December but as you consider end of year spending, please keep FMC in mind.
Sunday School Break
Sunday school classes are on pause until the New Year. Classes resume at 10:00am on Sunday, January 7.
Women in Leadership Retreat
The biannual Ohio Conference Women in Leadership Retreat is quickly approaching on February 2-3, 2024. This year’s retreat will be held at the Lial Renewal Center in Whitehouse, Ohio. You won’t want to miss this time of learning, laughter, and fellowship. Jewel Gingerich Longenecker, Dean of Lifelong Learning at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, will lead participants in exploring what it means to claim the fullness of their identity as leaders created in God’s image. This retreat is for ALL women – those serving in pastoral or congregational roles such as MYF leaders, mentor coordinators, Sunday school teachers and superintendents, Christian education leaders, delegates, commission leaders, or other positions, as well as for women who want to explore possibilities for using their gifts in the church. The registration deadline will be here soon (Jan. 12) and spaces are limited. Visit ohiomennoniteconference.org for more information.
Spiritual Direction
If you are interested in being more intentional in cultivating your spiritual life in the New Year, and becoming more attentive to God’s presence in your life through prayer, consider meeting with Pastor Alvis for spiritual direction.
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