Missions Month: Southeast Clergy Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals at a reasonable cost to residents in Bedford, Bedford Heights, Oakwood Village and Walton Hills, who are unable to shop or prepare adequate meals for themselves. This service enables each person to maintain or resume independent living in their own home. Meals on Wheels is an independent all-volunteer service which relies upon donations from the community, businesses, private donors and client donations for financial support.

75^th Anniversary Final Celebration

Today marks our final 75^th anniversary celebration! Join us after the worship service for a potluck in the fellowship hall. There are also 75^th anniversary commemorative mugs available in the foyer. Please consider making a $5 donation to help offset the cost of the mugs.

First Sunday of the Month Masking

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

FMC Fun Run

Mark your calendars! FMC will have a “fun run” after the worship service on Sunday, November 12 at Bedford Reservation. All are welcome to join as we run, walk, and enjoy the outdoors!

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

• Bonus Retreat Day!: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property for a bonus retreat day! We’ll meet at 4pm for fellowship and have dinner around 5pm. Bring a dish to share and your own table settings. If you have any questions, see Ben or Cara Speros.

• Youth Gathering: There will be a youth gathering at the Pettker’s apartment on Saturday, October 21 at 5pm. There will be a potluck style supper, so please bring a dish to share. Parents are welcome to stay for the gathering as well. Please RSVP to Ruth or Pastor Alvis.

• Church Directory: There are paper copies of the updated church directory located in the foyer.

• Photos in the Foyer: After the service, take a look at the photos laid out in the foyer. If you know any details about a photo (who is pictured, the date, what is happening) please write it down on one of the sticky notes provided. Thank you!

• Children’s Activity Bags: We are revamping our children’s activity bags and looking for “quiet” fidget toys (pop-its, etc.) to include in the revamped bags. If you have any extra, please donate them to the church – thank you!

• 75^th Anniversary Final Celebration: Our next 75^th anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, November 5. Join us after the worship service for a potluck in the fellowship hall.

• FMC Streaming Policy: We have finalized our live-stream policy here at FMC. Only the four most recent livestreams will be posted on the church YouTube channel. Everything older than the four most recent livestreams will be deleted.

• 75^th Anniversary Celebration, Part 2: Join us after today’s worship service for an ice cream social as we continue to celebrate Friendship Mennonite Church’s 75^th anniversary!

• First Sunday of the Month Masking: Today is the first Sunday of October, and per our masking policy at FMC, we strongly encourage attendees to wear a mask as an accommodation. There are extra masks available in the foyer for anyone who should need one.

• Congregational Hymn Sing: Next Sunday, October 8, join us for a congregational hymn sing during the worship service. This worship service will not be live-streamed.  

• Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis and Ruth will be on vacation from October 7-13, and October 28- November 4.

• 75^th Anniversary Final Celebration: Our next 75^th anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, November 5. Join us after the worship service for a potluck in the fellowship hall.

• Mennonites in Public Education: Mennonite Public Educators is a group that brings together Mennonite teachers and other education professionals who work in a public school setting in the US or Canada for mutual encouragement, support, and learning. The group will be hosting the first of four Zoom meetings on Thursday, October 12 at 7pm. There is no cost to attend the Zoom, but registration is required to share the Zoom link. For more information or to receive the RSVP link, contact info@MennoniteEducation.org.

• 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!