• Adult Sunday School Reminder: This Sunday and next, the Adult Sunday school class will be looking at Leviticus 18 as part of our on-going work of examining difficult scriptures related to questions of LGBTQ inclusion. Youth are invited to participate in these sessions at the discretion of their parents, because this passage and our conversation will touch on mature themes and subject matter. If people have questions or concerns, they can contact Pastor Alvis.

• Church Life Meeting: Our annual Church Life Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 28. There will be a potluck after the worship service with the Church Life Meeting following. Please plan to attend if you are able. Please see Sue Coblentz if you would like a copy of the budget to review in advance.

• Mennonite Public Educators Virtual Meeting: The next meeting of the Mennonite Public Educator group is Thursday, January 25 at 7pm EST. The conversation topic will be “CRT, Social-Emotional Learning, & book banning.” Registration is required. Email: info@MennoniteEducation.org to receive registration information.

• Ohio Conference Women in Leadership Retreat: One of our roles as ministry leaders is to notice and affirm the gifts of those in our congregations. The planning committee of this winter’s Ohio Conference Women in Leadership retreat would like you to think about women in your congregation whom you could encourage to attend. Consider sending women currently serving in pastoral or congregational roles such as MYF leaders, mentor coordinators, Sunday school teachers and superintendents, Christian education leaders, delegates, commission leaders, or those in other positions, as well as women who want to explore possibilities for using their gifts in church leadership. This year’s retreat has a special focus for women to explore what it means to claim the fullness of their identity as leaders created in God’s image. If your congregation is able, please consider offering financial support by paying at least a portion of the registration fee. They will want to register early, as spaces are limited. More information can be found on the brochure posted in the church foyer.
• Church Life Meeting: Our annual Church Life Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 28. There will be a potluck after the worship service with the Church Life Meeting following. Please plan to attend if you are able. Please see Sue Coblentz if you would like a copy of the budget to review in advance.

• Mennonite Public Educators Virtual Meeting: The next meeting of the Mennonite Public Educator group is Thursday, January 25 at 7pm EST. The conversation topic will be “CRT, Social-Emotional Learning, & book banning.” Registration is required. Email: info@MennoniteEducation.org to receive registration information.

• Guest Speaker Zach Hunt: Join us next Sunday, January 14 for a special adult Sunday school lead by author Zach Hunt. We also look forward to hearing his message during the worship service as well.

• Church Life Meeting: Our annual Church Life Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 28. There will be a potluck after the worship service with the Church Life Meeting following. Please plan to attend if you are able. Please see Sue Coblentz if you would like a copy of the budget to review in advance.

• ACA 2024: This year’s Annual Conference Assembly will take place March 1-2 at Sharon Mennonite in Plain City. This year’s conference is for everyone, not just delegates. If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please ask Lauren to send you the registration information.

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.

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

Today is the last Sunday of 2023 that we will have Sunday school classes. There will not be any Sunday school on December 24 or 31. We will meet up again in the New Year!

Longest Night Service – December 20

FMC is partnering with Hope UMC and Southhaven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service on Wednesday, December 20. The service will take place at Southhaven UCC and will begin at 7:00pm.

Christmas Eve Service

Join us on Sunday, December 24 for a time of fellowship (cookies & hot chocolate) at 6:30pm with a worship service beginning at 7:00pm.

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.

Children’s Program – Next Sunday

If your child is interested in participating in the children’s Christmas program that will take place next Sunday, December 17 please see Maria Witmer-Rich for details.

Sunday School Break

Sunday, December 17^th will be the last Sunday of 2023 that we will have Sunday school classes. There will not be any Sunday school on December 24 or 31. We will meet up again in the New Year!

Longest Night Service – December 20

FMC is partnering with Hope UMC and Southhaven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service on Wednesday, December 20. The service will take place at Southhaven UCC and will begin at 7:00pm.

Christmas Eve Service

Join us on Sunday, December 24 for a time of fellowship (cookies & hot chocolate) at 6:30pm with a worship service beginning at 7:00pm.

Sermon Manuscripts

If you are interested in receiving a hard or digital copy of Pastor Alvis’s sermons they are available upon request.

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.

First Sunday Masking

Today marks the first Sunday of the month of December and per our masking policy at FMC we strongly encourage attendees to wear a mask as an accommodation. Should you need a mask, extras can be found in the foyer.

Decorations Request for December 10

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration? The Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, we will reflect on the things we do as we wait upon Christmas morning. If you are willing, please take a picture of your favorite Christmas decoration and email the image to Ryan Hurley.

Additionally, if you’d like, include a brief description of why this item holds such meaning for you. We’ll be using these images during the service and invite those who are comfortable to share their stories. 

Longest Night Service – December 20

FMC is partnering with Hope UMC and Southhaven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service on Wednesday, December 20. The service will take place at Southhaven UCC and will begin at 7:00pm.

Sermon Manuscripts

If you are interested in receiving a hard or digital copy of Pastor Alvis’s sermons they are available upon request.

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.

Advent Leader Magazine

Advent is upon us and we are using the Leader Magazine worship resources. Hard copies are available for Worship and Song Leaders in the church office, and digital versions are also available.

Shenk Koontz Family

Former FMC members Peter and Kelly Shenk Koontz are currently serving as the country representatives for Mennonite Central Committee Laos. They are studying the Lao language and are responsible for supervising a team of 30 Lao staff and three expatriates. Their work is primarily peacebuilding focused. They have two large projects: 1) developing local mediation councils in villages and working to include women and ethnic minorities in decision making and governance processes. 2) A land rights project that focuses on teaching villagers about land law and helping folks access deeds for their land in order to guard against large corporations taking land. They also have two smaller projects: 1) Peace building training with college age students and 2) A disability project that works with children who have been affected by Agent Orange that was sprayed by the US during the Vietnam war. Peter and Kelly have 2 children. Elliot is enrolled in a French school and is beginning to learn a little bit of French and Leland is enrolled in a local daycare. They send their love and greetings to the FMC community!

First Sunday Masking

Next Sunday, December 3 will be the first Sunday of December, and per our masking policy at FMC, we strongly encourage attendees to wear a mask as an accommodation. There will be extra masks available in the foyer for anyone who should need one.

Prepare the Way

Join us for an Advent-themed morning of activities during the Sunday school hour on December 3. Designed for ALL AGES, there will be stations for hot cocoa, crafts, stories, a service project, and more! Plan to attend at 10 a.m.! (There will be no regular Sunday school.) For the service project, we will be making Infant Care Kits for Mennonite Central Committee as we prepare to welcome baby Jesus on Christmas! Some supplies will be on hand, and we welcome any additional supplies from this list as we assemble kits. Please be sure to purchase new items only, sizes 6-12 months.

• 3 gowns or sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
• 3 undershirts or onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 30 in x 30 in, larger sizes preferred)
• 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
• 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap

MCC Meat Canner

Every year MCC’s Mobile Meat Canner travels across the United States and Canada meeting volunteers who prepare cans of turkey, beef, chicken and pork. Last year, they shipped 574,560 lb. of canned meat to countries like Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Malawi, South Sudan, Ukraine, Zambia, and the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Over 30,000 people a year volunteer to fill, weigh, wash and label every can. Four canner operators travel with the meat canner to 34 different locations across the US and Canada and help the volunteers at each location.

“Sunday Funday” November 26

Next Sunday is the last Sunday of the month and is “Sunday Funday.” This means that there will not be children’s Sunday school “classes,” but there will be fun activities planned for the children during the Sunday school hour.  Youth are invited to attend the adult Sunday school class during this time. 

Prepare the Way

Join us for an Advent-themed morning of activities during the Sunday school hour on December 3. Designed for ALL AGES, there will be stations for hot cocoa, crafts, stories, a service project, and more! Plan to attend at 10 a.m.! (There will be no regular Sunday school.) For the service project, we will be making Infant Care Kits for Mennonite Central Committee as we prepare to welcome baby Jesus on Christmas! Some supplies will be on hand, and we welcome any additional supplies from this list as we assemble kits. Please be sure to purchase new items only, sizes 6-12 months.

• 3 gowns or sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
• 3 undershirts or onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 30 in x 30 in, larger sizes preferred)
• 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
• 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap

Missions Month: Southeast Clergy Hunger Center

The Hunger Center is found in the basement of South Haven UCC’s church building, and serves residents of Bedford, Bedford Heights, Warrensville Heights, Oakwood, Solon, Garfield Heights, and Highland Heights by providing food assistance to those in need. Our support helps keep their freezers running, purchase food, and pay the minimal administrative costs that allow the Hunger Center to operate.

FMC Fun Run – Today!

Join us after today’s worship service for a “fun run” at Bedford Reservation. All are welcome to join as we run, walk, and enjoy the outdoors!

75^th Anniversary Commemorative Mugs

Celebrate FMC’s 75^th Anniversary with your own commemorative mug! There are mugs available in the foyer. Please consider making a $5 donation to help offset the cost of the mugs.

Prepare the Way

Join us for an Advent-themed morning of activities during the Sunday school hour on December 3. Designed for ALL AGES, there will be stations for hot cocoa, crafts, stories, a service project, and more! Plan to attend at 10 a.m.! (There will be no regular Sunday school.) For the service project, we will be making Infant Care Kits for Mennonite Central Committee as we prepare to welcome baby Jesus on Christmas! Some supplies will be on hand, and we welcome any additional supplies from this list as we assemble kits:

• 3 gowns or sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
• 3 undershirts or onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 30 in x 30 in, larger sizes preferred)
• 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
• 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap