• Retreat Gathering: Join us this afternoon for a potluck at our retreat property. Arrive at 4pm for a time of fellowship and games. The potluck will begin around 5pm. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share. Directions can be found on our website.

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday, June 29 we will have our monthly My Coins Count collection during the worship service. Please bring your coins, cash, and checks to help support the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• Gifts Discernment: The season of Gifts Discernment is upon us! Printed out copies of the Gifts Discernment outline can be found at the back of the sanctuary. Please review the slate and prayerfully consider whether you would like to continue to serve in your current role/ministry, if there is a new role/ministry you would like to serve in, or if you have suggestions for those who you think should serve in a role/ministry. Feedback and suggestions are due to Pastor Alvis TODAY.  

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Rev. Bercie Mundedi, director of the Kalonda Bible Institute, who is beginning a two year study program that will allow her to complete her university degree. Pray for Rev. Mundedi’s health and family during this time. Pray also for the Bible Institute as it continues to train Mennonite pastors in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• June 22 – Outdoor Service & Blessing of the Animals: Animals are an important part of our world, and for many of us, important parts of our personal lives. During this service we will offer a blessing for the animals of creation, and invite pet owners to bring their pets to receive that blessing. You know your animal best, so please use your discretion to determine what will be in their best interest and the best interest of the other people, and potentially other animals present.  Alternatively, feel free to bring a token representing an animal you wish to receive a blessing, like a leash or favorite toy or picture. In case of rain, we strongly encourage you to bring a representative token rather than your animal. If you have questions or concerns please contact Pastor Alvis.

• Retreat Gathering: Join us next Sunday, June 22 for a potluck at our retreat property. Arrive at 4pm for a time of fellowship and games. The potluck will begin around 5pm. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share. Directions can be found on our website.

• Youth Fund: A “Youth Fund” option has been created on our online giving portal so that donations can be made electronically to support the youth going to MCUSA Convention in July.

• Ruff Anniversary Celebration: Karen and Jerry Ruff are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 29. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Karen by June 20.

• Gifts Discernment: The season of Gifts Discernment is upon us! Printed out copies of the Gifts Discernment outline can be found at the back of the sanctuary. Please review the slate and prayerfully consider whether you would like to continue to serve in your current role/ministry, if there is a new role/ministry you would like to serve in, or if you have suggestions for those who you think should serve in a role/ministry. Please contact Pastor Alvis by June 22 with your updates and suggestions.

• May Giving: May giving was $8,200 compared to budgeted giving of $8,600.  Our year-to-date giving remains above budget.

• Youth Fund: A “Youth Fund” option has been created on our online giving portal so that donations can be made electronically to support the youth going to MCUSA Convention in July.

• Ruff Anniversary Celebration: Karen and Jerry Ruff are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 29, from 1-5pm. It will be a casual picnic and the couple does not want any gifts. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Karen by June 20.

• Gifts Discernment: The season of Gifts Discernment is upon us! Printed out copies of the Gifts Discernment outline can be found at the back of the sanctuary. Please review the slate and prayerfully consider whether you would like to continue to serve in your current role/ministry, if there is a new role/ministry you would like to serve in, or if you have suggestions for those who you think should serve in a role/ministry. Please contact Pastor Alvis by June 22 with your updates and suggestions.

• Encounter – Sunday, June 1: All are welcome to “Encounter,” a monthly gathering led by Ted Steiner and Anita Yoder. We meet at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights for a time of silence, singing, and sharing. We think it is very important to build community with one another, listening together for God’s loving voice. Please feel free to invite any neighbors or friends who might enjoy and benefit from our gathering.

• Everence Estate Planning Seminar: Pastor Alvis, in partnership with our local Everence representatives, is working to host an estate planning seminar at FMC in the near future. If you are interested in attending, please let Pastor Alvis know, so he can coordinate this event.

• Graduation Sunday/Fundraising for MennoCon: On Sunday, June 8, we are having our Graduation Service in the morning followed by a lunch picnic outside. As a fundraiser for MennoCon, we are providing the lunches, which will be made by our youth attending the conference. We will need you to RSVP if you plan on attending, and what kind of wrap you would like. Bagged lunches will include a Wrap or Gluten Free Sandwich, chips, cookie and fruit. The option for wraps/gluten-free sandwiches are: Turkey Wrap: Turkey, havarti cheese, lettuce, avocado, mayo and tomato; Roast Beef Wrap: roast beef, provolone cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato, horseradish sauce; Veggie Wrap: avocado, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, hummus, lettuce. Please RSVP to Ruth with your selection and dietary concerns by Tuesday, June 3rd. Come hungry and full of generosity!

• Note from the Treasurer: Giving through April has been above budget.  Monthly budgeted giving is $8,550 and actual average giving was $9,100.

• FMC Retreat: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property in Geauga County for a time of fellowship and a potluck meal. Arrive by 4:00pm for hiking, fellowship and games. The potluck will begin at 5:00pm. Please bring a dish to share, as well as your own table service. Directions are available online at www.friendshipmennonite.com

• Baptism & Membership: If you are interested in baptism or membership at FMC, please reach out to Pastor Alvis.

• Everence Estate Planning Seminar: Pastor Alvis, in partnership with our local Everence representatives, is working to host an estate planning seminar at FMC in the near future. If you are interested in attending, please let Pastor Alvis know, so he can coordinate this event.

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for a Youth Venture team of 11 young adults and two leaders, who are visiting sites in Germany and Switzerland in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. Pray that their faith will grow, as they begin to understand more about the historical foundations of the church and build global relationships through attending Mennonite World Conference’s Young Anabaptist Global Youth Summit.

• Outdoor Worship at FMC: Next Sunday, join us for worship outdoors at FMC! Please consider bringing a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and a hat or sunglasses. The outdoor worship service will not be live-streamed.

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday is our monthly My Coins Count collection. We will collect coins, cash, and checks during the worship service which will go the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• FMC Retreat: Join us next Sunday, May 25 at our retreat property in Geauga County for a time of fellowship and a potluck meal. Arrive by 4:00pm for hiking, fellowship and games. The potluck will begin at 5:00pm. Please bring a dish to share, as well as your own table service. Directions are available online at www.friendshipmennonite.com

• Summer Sunday School Break: Today marks the last day of adult, youth & children Sunday school classes for the spring. Classes will reconvene in the fall. Thanks for a great year and thanks to all of our teachers!

• Baptism & Membership: If you are interested in baptism or membership at FMC, please reach out to Pastor Alvis.

• Everence Estate Planning Seminar: Pastor Alvis, in partnership with our local Everence representatives, is working to host an estate planning seminar at FMC in the near future. If you are interested in attending, please let Pastor Alvis know, so he can coordinate this event.

• Baptism & Membership: If you are interested in baptism or membership at FMC, please reach out to Pastor Alvis.

• Outdoor Worship at FMC: Sunday, May 25 join us for worship outdoors at FMC! Please consider bringing a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and a hat or sunglasses. The outdoor worship service will not be live-streamed.

• Summer Sunday School Break: Next Sunday, May 18 marks the last day of adult, youth & children Sunday school classes for the spring. Classes will reconvene in the fall. Thanks for a great year and thanks to all of our teachers!

• Everence Estate Planning Seminar: Pastor Alvis, in partnership with our local Everence representatives, is working to host an estate planning seminar at FMC in the near future. If you are interested in attending, please let Pastor Alvis know, so he can coordinate this event.

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network joins First Mennonite Church of San Francisco (California) this year in celebrating its 50th anniversary and its 50th year of hosting a Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) unit. Pray for current MVS participants — Conrad Liechty, Ana Esperanza Neufeld Weaver and Sav Roth Walter — as they help the congregation extend its outreach in the city.

• Baptism & Membership: If you are interested in baptism or membership at FMC, please reach out to Pastor Alvis.

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Laura and Nick Sharp, and their children, Jesse (8) and Brielle (5), as they prepare to begin a year-long assignment in La Mesa, Colombia, where they will serve alongside the Colombia Mennonite Church and its school, Colegio Americano Menno (American Menno School).

• Building Dedication: You’re invited to join MCC for the building dedication of the new MCC Material Resources Center in Kidron, OH on Sunday, May 4 from 2-4 p.m. We are grateful to all the churches and individuals who have supported this building project over the past several years. Please join us as we dedicate this building and the many kits and comforters that will pass through these doors spreading relief and hope to people around the world. Self-guided tours, activities and light refreshments will be offered from 2-4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. We look forward to celebrating together! More information at mcc.org/kidron-mrc-dedication 

• Welcome, Chibuzo Petty!: Chibuzo N. Petty is a minister, organizer, and author living in Cleveland, Ohio with their wife and two daughters.   

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Kikubya Mennonite Church in Uganda, whose building was severely damaged by floods, and for the 15 families who lost their homes and/or crops. Bishop Simon Okoth asks for prayer and resources, as the church tries to carry on its ministries to its members, many of whom fled from violence in Rwanda generations ago. Despite their limited resources, Mennonites are also hosting people fleeing from violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Building Dedication: You’re invited to join MCC for the building dedication of the new MCC Material Resources Center in Kidron, OH on Sunday, May 4 from 2-4 p.m. We are grateful to all the churches and individuals who have supported this building project over the past several years. Please join us as we dedicate this building and the many kits and comforters that will pass through these doors spreading relief and hope to people around the world. Self-guided tours, activities and light refreshments will be offered from 2-4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. We look forward to celebrating together! More information at mcc.org/kidron-mrc-dedication 

• Pastor Alvis’ Schedule: This week (April 21-27) Pastor Alvis will be out of the office while he attends a retreat at Laurelville. Should you need to get a hold of him, he will be (periodically) checking his email. You can also reach out to FMC Secretary Lauren Hurley, or our church elders.  

• No Bible Study on Tuesday: While Pastor Alvis is away this week, the Virtual Bible Study will not meet on Tuesday. The group will resume meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30pm.

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday, April 27 we will have our monthly My Coins Count collection during the worship service. Please bring your coins, cash, and checks to help support the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• Sonnenberg Church Missions Breakfast: You are invited to the 27th annual Maple Syrup Missions festival at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church! Breakfast will be served from 7:00am till 10:30am at 14367 Hackett Rd, Kidron, OH 44636. Cost for the meal is by donation. Extra sausage and maple syrup will be available for sale and at least 20 exhibits will be set up to promote the various types of ministries that benefit from the proceeds of the meal.

• MMN Prayer Request: On this Easter Sunday, join Mennonite Mission Network’s 74 workers and 183 partner organizations throughout the United States and 45 other countries around the world in proclaiming the message of Jesus’ resurrection power and love to those we encounter.