• Last Outdoor Worship Service: Our last outdoor worship service of the season will take place next Sunday, September 17 here at FMC. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Because we will be outdoors, the service will not be live-streamed next Sunday. 

• Hotdog Roast at Retreat: Our final retreat gathering of the season will take place on Sunday, September 24 starting at 4pm. There will be a hotdog roast and potluck dinner at 5pm. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share!

• Fall Worship Arts: A sincere thank you to Ben Speros who created the wooden worship arts displayed in the front of the church. Ben created this piece out of repurposed wood that he salvaged from the recent church sanctuary renovation. Thank you, Ben, for sharing your gifts with us! 

• Summer Homework: We encourage you to turn in your reflections on the summer homework from Zach Hunt’s “God Breathed.” Physical copies of the homework may be turned into the church office, and digital copies can be emailed to Pastor Alvis.

• MCC Meat Canning: MCC will host a meat canning event at the Gerber Building (3970 Kidron Rd. Kidron, OH) on October 13, 14 & 16 from 5:00pm-10:00pm. Volunteers will work with the canning crew to fill, weigh, wash and label cans of turkey, beef, chicken or pork to be sent around the world. Each meat canning location raises funds to cover the cost of the meat and the operation of the canner.

• Retreat Gathering: Our next retreat gathering will take place this afternoon at 4pm. Join us at our retreat property for food, fun & a rocket launch! Please bring your own table service, completed rocket kit, and a dish to share.

• Summer Homework: We encourage you to turn in your reflections on the summer homework from Zach Hunt’s “God Breathed.” Physical copies of the homework may be turned into the church office, and digital copies can be emailed to Pastor Alvis.

• Sunday School Kickoff: Next Sunday at 10:00am Sunday school classes at FMC will resume! There are classes for all ages, so be sure to attend.

• MCC Meat Canning: MCC will host a meat canning event at the Gerber Building (3970 Kidron Rd. Kidron, OH) on October 13, 14 & 16 from 5:00pm-10:00pm. Volunteers will work with the canning crew to fill, weigh, wash and label cans of turkey, beef, chicken or pork to be sent around the world. Each meat canning location raises funds to cover the cost of the meat and the operation of the canner.  

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday is our monthly My Coins Count collection. Please bring your change (or checks) to church. This collection goes towards the mission and ministry of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• Outdoor Worship Service: Sunday, September 3 we will worship outdoors (weather-permitting) at the church. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Because we will be outdoors, the service will not be live-streamed that Sunday.

• Retreat Gathering: Our next retreat gathering will take place on Sunday, September 3 at 4pm. Join us at our retreat property for food, fun & fellowship. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share.

• FMC Summer Reading: To get the juices flowing for our Fall congregational conversations around our conference affiliation and related questions like what our formal congregational stance will be regarding LGBTQ inclusion, Pastor Alvis has assigned some “summer homework.” This homework includes 10 reflection questions to help us think about some of these things before the Fall, and a book to read, Zack Hunt’s “God Breathed: What it Really Means for the Bible to be Divinely Inspired.” Questions were sent out through email. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Alvis directly.

• It’s Time for the MCC School Kit Challenge!: Help MCC meet their goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.

• Note from the Treasurer: For the month of July, giving was
  $7,950 compared to a monthly budget of $8,100.
• Blessing of the Backpacks: We will have our annual Blessing of the
  Backpacks next Sunday for students and teachers who will be
  returning to school throughout the coming weeks. Bring your
  backpacks or bags as a part of this blessing!
• Retreat Today: Join us this afternoon starting at 4:00pm at our
  retreat property for a time of fellowship, food and fun! Please
  bring your own table service and a dish to share.
• FMC Summer Reading: To get the juices flowing for our Fall
  congregational conversations around our conference affiliation
  and related questions like what our formal congregational stance
  will be regarding LGBTQ inclusion, Pastor Alvis has assigned some
  “summer homework.” This homework includes 10 reflection
  questions to help us think about some of these things before the
  Fall, and a book to read, Zack Hunt’s “God Breathed: What it Really
  Means for the Bible to be Divinely Inspired.” Questions were sent
  out through email and if you haven’t picked up a book yet, more
  are available at the church.
• Pastor Alvis Schedule Change: Past Alvis will be out of the office this
  Wednesday for an Ohio Conference pastors gathering in Sandusky,
  and on Friday for a workshop. He will be away on Vacation from
  August 21-28, if there’s an emergency, please contact the Elders

• Note from the Treasurer:  For the month of July, giving was $7,950 compared to a monthly budget of $8,100.

• First Sunday of the Month Masking: Today is the first Sunday of the month, and per our masking policy at FMC, we strongly encourage attendees to wear a mask as an accommodation. If you do not have a mask and would like one, there are extra masks in the foyer.

• Outdoor Worship Service: Next Sunday, join us as we worship outdoors! Feel free to bring your own folding/camping chair. Outdoor services will not be live-streamed.

• Retreat Next Sunday: Join us next Sunday afternoon starting at 4:00pm at our retreat property for a time of fellowship, food and fun! Please bring your own table service and a dish to share.

• FMC Summer Reading: To get the juices flowing for our Fall congregational conversations around our conference affiliation and related questions like what our formal congregational stance will  be regarding LGBTQ inclusion, Pastor Alvis has assigned some “summer homework.” This homework includes 10 reflection questions to help us think about some of these things before the Fall, and a book to read, Zack Hunt’s “God Breathed: What it Really Means for the Bible to be Divinely Inspired.” Questions were sent out through email last week, and if you haven’t picked up a book yet, more have been ordered and are on the way. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Alvis directly.

• It’s Time for the MCC School Kit Challenge!: Help MCC meet their goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.

• FMC Turns 75!: This year we celebrate the 75^th anniversary of our congregation. There will be a few different celebrations throughout the rest of this year, but our first will take place next Sunday, July 30^th during our annual worship service at our retreat property. Join us that Sunday for a potluck following the worship service, as well as some frozen treats and fun! Part of this celebration will also include a rocket launch – we have rocket kits available for each family. Collect your kit from Pastor Alvis, put it together, and bring it ready for blast off on July 30^th!

• FMC Summer Reading: To get the juices flowing for our Fall congregational conversations around our conference affiliation and related questions like what our formal congregational stance will  be regarding LGBTQ inclusion, Pastor Alvis has assigned some “summer homework.” This homework includes 10 reflection questions to help us think about some of these things before the Fall, and a book to read, Zack Hunt’s “God Breathed: What it Really Means for the Bible to be Divinely Inspired.” Questions were sent out through email last week, and if you haven’t picked up a book yet, more have been ordered and are on the way. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Alvis directly.

• It’s Time for the MCC School Kit Challenge!: Help MCC meet their goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.

• FMC Turns 75!: This year we celebrate the 75^th anniversary of  our congregation. There will be a few different celebrations  throughout the rest of this year, but our first will take place on  July 30^th during our annual worship service at our retreat  property. Join us that Sunday for a potluck following the worship  service, as well as some frozen treats and fun! Part of this celebration will also include a rocket launch – we have rocket kits available for each family. Collect your kit from Pastor Alvis, put it together, and bring it ready for blast off on July 30th!

• First Sunday of the Month Masking: On the first Sunday of every month, we strongly encourage FMC attendees to wear a mask as an accommodation. Next Sunday (July 2) will be the first Sunday of July, so please consider bringing a mask to church with you.
• Outdoor Worship Services: This summer, join us as we worship outdoors! The first Sunday we will worship on the FMC front lawn is July 9 (weather-permitting). Feel free to bring your own folding/camp chair. Outdoor services will not be live-streamed.

• MCC Connections Thrift Shop in Kidron: has an opening for Intake Coordinator. This person will be the manager for the warehouse and the donation process. This is a full-time paid position (40 hours/week, including some Saturdays). The applicant should have organizational skills, problem solving skills and positive interpersonal skills with the ability to relate well with volunteers and the public. For more information contact Michael Amstutz at 330-857-7802 or michael@mccconnections.com or visit our website www.mccconnections.com.

• Discernment Positions Vote: After today’s worship service, please stick around for a short meeting during which the congregation will vote to affirm the 2023-2024 Discernment Positions slate that was emailed out earlier this week.

• Office Hours: Beginning this week, Pastor Alvis will have office hours here at the church on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

• Saturday Retreat: Join us this Saturday, June 24 at the retreat property for fellowship, food, and fun! Arrive at 4pm for a time of fellowship, followed by dinner at 5pm. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share.

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday we will have our monthly My Coins Count collection. Please bring your change or checkbook – this offering will go towards the mission work of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• Outdoor Worship Services: This summer, join us as we worship outdoors! The first Sunday we will worship on the FMC front lawn is July 9 (weather-permitting). Feel free to bring your own folding/camp chair. Outdoor services will not be live-streamed.

• Note from the Treasurer: For May 2023, giving was $7,800 compared to budget of $8,100.

• Congratulations!: A big congratulations to our high school graduates: Luke Coblentz, Se’Mariion Rogers, and Sophia Yoder.

• Picnic Today: Join us outside after the service as we celebrate our high school graduates with a bagged lunch picnic!

• Office Hours: Starting the week of June 18, Pastor Alvis will have office hours here at the church on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

• Outdoor Worship Services: This summer, join us as we worship outdoors! The first Sunday we will worship on the FMC front lawn is July 9 (weather-permitting). Feel free to bring your own folding/camp chair. Outdoor services will not be live-streamed.

• Hope UMC has an ecumenical handbell choir and they are recruiting members! No experience necessary. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Alvis.