• Missions Month: November is Missions Month at FMC. Each week there will be a special collection after our weekly offering that will go towards a mission organization that FMC supports. This year, all of our mission month donations will go towards Mennonite Disaster Services for hurricane relief. An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar donations made up to $10,000. Please consider giving to this important cause.  

• MMN Prayer Request: Join Mennonite Mission Network in praying that this Tuesday’s elections in the United States will take place without violence and that the leaders who are elected will lead the country in ways of justice and peace.

• MC USA: Join MC USA’s Climate Justice Coordinator Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler in imagining a sustainable future for ourselves, our children, and our planet by participating in an online book study of the compelling and timely book, “So We and Our Children May Live” by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler. Drawing from Scripture, science, Indigenous wisdom, and personal stories, the authors invite us to open our hearts and our culture to deep, Spirit-led transformation. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/climate-justice-book-study

• Guest Speaker Doug Luginbill: is in his 9th year as Conference Minister of the Central District Conference. He primarily works out of his home in Bluffton, OH where he lives with his spouse, Paula (Lehman) Luginbill. Doug graduated from Bluffton University with degrees in Religion and Sociology and from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary with an MDiv. They have two adult children, Jonathan and his spouse Kara, and Carissa and her spouse Wendell. They live in far-away places that are beautiful to visit; Colorado and Montana. Doug served for six years as executive director of Camp Friedenswald, 14 years in congregational ministry in Ohio and Kansas, and six years at Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, hiking, singing, and long walks with Paula.

• Missions Month: November is Missions Month at FMC. Each week there will be a special collection after our weekly offering that will go towards a mission organization that FMC supports. This year, all of our mission month donations will go towards Mennonite Disaster Services for hurricane relief. An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar donations made up to $10,000. Please consider giving to this important cause.  

• Pastor Alvis Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis will be on vacation from Oct 12 to Nov 2. During this time, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.

• MMN Prayer Request: Today, Mennonite Mission Network’s Mennonite Voluntary Service participants from Arizona, California and Colorado are concluding their five-day fall retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pray that they may return to their learning and service placements inspired and energized by the renewal they experienced in worshipping together and in sharing their experiences.

• Guest Speaker Amy Yoder McGloughlin: is the Conference Minister with Allegheny Mennonite Conference.  Before moving to this Conference Minister role earlier this year, Amy served as Pastor at Frazer Mennonite Church in the Philadelphia suburbs and Germantown Mennonite Church in Philadelphia.
• MMN Prayer Request: Praise God for continually carrying Laura Schlabach, of Mennonite Mission Network, through challenging situations in Mongolia, while she serves outside of her comfort zone on JCS International’s three-person executive director team — which is looking for a third person. Pray that JCS will find a full-time executive director and that Laura will find time for rest and renewal.

• 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.

• Pastor Alvis Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis will be on vacation from Oct 12 to Nov 2. During this time, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.

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

• Pastor Alvis Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis will be on vacation from Oct 12 to Nov 2. During this time, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.

• Mennonite Public Educators: Mennonite Education Agency has partnered with Mennonite Public Educators to offer an exciting opportunity for all public-school educators to gather virtually for a time of mutual support, encouragement and learning! The next meeting is Thursday, October 17 at 7p.m. ET on Zoom. This meeting’s theme is: How do we, as educators and peacemakers, live out our values in a polarized political environment during an election year? Registration for this event can be found using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MD8Ey8yu0Y4Fh7tZVfpuN7y3Jt-0nItF2Pc8JkoboGs/viewform?ts=66f86630&edit_requested=true

• MMN Prayer Request: On Tuesday, participants will embark on Mennonite Mission Network’s first Just Peace Pilgrimage to South Africa. Pray for them as, for the next two-plus weeks, they will immerse themselves in the country’s struggle against apartheid and wrestle with the church’s role in upholding racial segregation in South Africa and the United States.

• Note from the Treasurer: After a great month in July, August giving was down. Budgeted monthly offering is $8,300 and August giving was $5,200.

• Pastor Alvis Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis will be on vacation from Oct 12 to Nov 2. During this time, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.

• MMN Prayer Request: Yesterday, students at the Mennonite Evangelical Theological Center of Asunción (CEMTA), in Paraguay, concluded a two-day spiritual retreat. Pray for the retreatants as they incorporate what they experienced into their daily lives. C. Paul and Hildi Amstutz, of Mennonite Mission Network, have led these annual retreats for 13 years. Praise God that CEMTA sees the value of these retreats and includes them as part of the students’ first year of studies.

• Retreat Picnic this Afternoon: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property in Geauga county for a time of fellowship and fun. Arrive at 4pm to enjoy fellowship, hiking and games. Dinner will begin later in the evening. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share.

• Pastor Alvis Vacation Dates: Pastor Alvis will be on vacation from Oct 12 to Nov 2. During this time, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.

• Conference Affiliation: On Oct 6th Pastor Alvis will lead a session during the Sunday School hour for us to brainstorm questions we want to ask representatives from Allegheny and CDC to help us discern our affiliation when they come visit us on Oct 20th and Oct 27th respectively.

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Anicka Fast, as she fosters collaborations that cross academic disciplines and national boundaries, and as she teaches global church history and archiving skills throughout Africa. Pray for her as she edits a new Mennonite World Conference Global Anabaptist-Mennonite history series, in addition to teaching and traveling.

• Encounter Invitation: All Friendship Mennonite attenders are invited to “Encounter” on Sunday, September 22, at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights (parking is in the back). Encounter is a monthly gathering of prayer, singing, silence, and conversation. This intergenerational fellowship group welcomes Christians of all types, seekers, and other people of good will to build community with one another. Encounter is an effort to work against the fracturing of our world by creating a space of care and healing built around God’s love. See Anita Yoder if you have questions.

• Retreat Picnic Next Sunday: Next Sunday, join us at our retreat property in Geauga county for a time of fellowship and fun. Arrive at 4pm to enjoy fellowship, hiking and games. Dinner will begin later in the evening. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share.  

• 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.  

• Youth Activities Invite: It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite children and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis so that he can put together a schedule to share (strictly) within the congregation.

• Outdoor Worship at FMC: Next Sunday 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 next Sunday.

• FMC Directory: Paper copies of the updated FMC directory can be found at the back of the sanctuary.

• Worship Bags: Children’s worship bags are available at the back of the sanctuary. These activity bags are geared towards kids aged 10 and under. If you use a bag during the service, please place the bag beside the box after the worship service.

• Youth Activities Invite: It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite children and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis so that he can put together a schedule to share (strictly) within the congregation.

• Encounter Invitation: All Friendship Mennonite attenders are invited to “Encounter” on Sunday, September 22, at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights (parking is in the back). Encounter is a monthly gathering of prayer, singing, silence, and conversation. This intergenerational fellowship group welcomes Christians of all types, seekers, and other people of good will to build community with one another. Encounter is an effort to work against the fracturing of our world by creating a space of care and healing built around God’s love. See Anita Yoder or Ted Steiner with questions

• Note from the Treasurer: The giving for August was $10,300 versus the monthly budget of $8,300. Year to date was $64,700 versus the budgeted year to date of $66,500.

• Sunday School Kickoff: Today marks the beginning of the Sunday school season here at FMC. Sunday school will begin at 10:00am and there are classes available for children and adults. 

• Adult Sunday School: This fall, the adult Sunday school class will read “Stuck Together: the Hope of a Christian Witness in a Polarized World” by Nelson Kraybill. Copies of the book are available at the back of the sanctuary.

• Worship Bags: Children’s worship bags are available at the back of the sanctuary. These activity bags are geared towards kids aged 10 and under. If you use a bag during the service, please place the bag beside the box after the worship service.

• Youth Activities Invite: It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite children and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis so that he can put together a schedule to share (strictly) within the congregation.

• MennoCon 25: Next summer is the biennial gathering of MC USA. We are considering sending our youth group to the convention, which will take place in Greensboro, NC. If your pre-teen/teenager is interested, please let Pastor Alvis or Lauren know.  

• Retreat Picnic this Afternoon: Join us today at our retreat property in Geauga county for a time of fellowship and fun. 5:00pm is when dinner begins. Arrive by 4:00pm to enjoy fellowship, hiking and games. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share!

• Sunday School Kickoff: Next Sunday marks the beginning of the Sunday school season here at FMC. Sunday school will begin at 10:00am and there will be classes available for children and adults. 

• Adult Sunday School: This fall, the adult Sunday school class will read “Stuck Together: the Hope of a Christian Witness in a Polarized World” by Nelson Kraybill. Copies of the book are available at the back of the sanctuary.

• Meat Canning 2024: Canning For Relief for 2024 will happen in the Gerber Building in Kidron Monday, October 14 thru Friday, October 18. Because we will be limited to 10-hour work days daily start times may vary. With the potential to do up to 32,000 pounds your help and support is needed.

• MennoCon 25: Next summer is the biennial gathering of MC USA. We are considering sending our youth group to the convention, which will take place in Greensboro, NC. If your pre-teen/teenager is interested, please let Pastor Alvis or Lauren know.