• 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.  

• Encounter Invitation: All Friendship Mennonite attenders (and their friends!) are invited to the first meeting of “Encounter” on Sunday, August 25, at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights (parking is in the back; someone will be there to direct you). 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.

• 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.

• 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.  
• Sunday School Teachers Needed: Sunday school for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 8. This year will we have a class for children (ages 3-grade 4) and a youth class (grades 5-12). We are looking for volunteers to teach in either class! Contact Amy Gingerich if you are interested in teaching either the children’s or the youth class. 

• FMC Directory: It’s time to update the FMC directory. If your contact information has changed, or if you would like your information added to our church directory, please contact Lauren: friendship.mennonite@gmail.com. You can also mark any changes on the directory located at the back of the sanctuary.

• 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 Next Sunday: 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. 

• Sunday School Teachers Needed: Sunday school for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 8. This year will we have a class for children (ages 3-grade 4) and a youth class (grades 5-12). We are looking for volunteers to teach in either class! Contact Amy Gingerich if you are interested in teaching either the children’s or the youth class. 

• FMC Directory: It’s time to update the FMC directory. If your contact information has changed, or if you would like your information added to our church directory, please contact Lauren: friendship.mennonite@gmail.com. You can also mark any changes on the directory located at the back of the sanctuary.

• Encounter Invitation: All Friendship Mennonite attenders (and their friends!) are invited to the first meeting of “Encounter” on Sunday, August 25, at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights (parking is in the back; someone will be there to direct you). 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.

• FMC Directory: It’s time to update the FMC directory. If your contact information has changed, or if you would like your information added to our church directory, please contact Lauren: friendship.mennonite@gmail.com. You can also mark any changes on the directory located at the back of the sanctuary.

• Join us in the MCC School Kit Challenge: Mennonite Central Committee has issued a challenge for churches to pack 24,000 school kits during the month of August. Notebooks and pencils are a tangible message of God’s love for families around the world who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Without these items, many kids can’t get the education they desperately need. What’s in a school kit? A school kit is a cloth bag filled with notebooks, pencils, a ruler, colored pencils, an eraser, pens and a sharpener that gets sent to children in need all over the world. Bring any of the following in August to contribute to our kits for MCC:
• 4 spiral or perforated-page notebooks; about 21.5 cm x 27.5 cm (8.5 in x 11 in); approx. 140 pages (70 sheets) each, totaling 500–600 pages (250-300 sheets)
• 8 new unsharpened pencils
• 1 ruler (flat, good quality; must indicate 30 cm (inch markings optional)
• 12 colored pencils (in packaging)
• 1 large eraser
• 4 new black or blue ballpoint pens
• 1 small all-metal pencil sharpener (one or two holes)

• Sunday School: Sunday school for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 8. This year we will have a class for children (ages 3-grade 4) and a youth class (grades 5-12). We are looking for volunteers to teach in either class! Contact Amy Gingerich if you are interested in teaching either the children’s or the youth class. 

• FMC Open Golf Tournament: Sign up for the first ever FMC Open Golf Tournament can be found in the church foyer. RSVPs can also be emailed to the church office: friendship.mennonite@gmail.com Golfers and non-golfers alike are invited to join in on the fun!
• Join Us in the MCC School Kit Challenge: Mennonite Central Committee has issued a challenge for churches to pack 24,000 school kits during the month of August. Notebooks and pencils are a tangible message of God’s love for families around the world who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Without these items, many kids can’t get the education they desperately need. What’s in a school kit? A school kit is a cloth bag filled with notebooks, pencils, a ruler, colored pencils, an eraser, pens and a sharpener that gets sent to children in need all over the world. Bring any of the following in August to contribute to our kits for MCC:
• 4 spiral or perforated-page notebooks; about 21.5 cm x 27.5 cm (8.5 in x 11 in); approx. 140 pages (70 sheets) each, totaling 500–600 pages (250-300 sheets)
• 8 new unsharpened pencils
• 1 ruler (flat, good quality; must indicate 30 cm (inch markings optional)
• 12 colored pencils (in packaging)
• 1 large eraser
• 4 new black or blue ballpoint pens
• 1 small all-metal pencil sharpener (one or two holes)

• Worship at Retreat on August 4: Sunday, August 4 we will gather at the Friendship retreat in Geauga County for our worship service at 11:00am. There will not be worship at the building or online. Following the service, we will share lunch together. Please plan on bringing your own table service as well as a dish to share.

• Sunday School: Sunday school for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 8. This year we will have a class for children (ages 3-grade 4) and a youth class (grades 5-12). We are looking for volunteers to teach in either class! Contact Amy Gingerich if you are interested in teaching either the children’s or the youth class. 

• FMC Open Golf Tournament: Sign up for the first ever FMC Open Golf Tournament can be found in the foyer. Golfers and non-golfers alike are invited to join in on the fun!

• MCC School Kit Challenge: This week is tax-free week in Ohio (July 30-August 8) and a great time to pick up school supplies for the MCC School Kit challenge! Below is a list of the supplies needed to fill a kit:

• 4 spiral or perforated-page notebooks; about 21.5 cm x 27.5 cm (8.5 in x 11 in); approx. 140 pages (70 sheets) each, totaling 500–600 pages (250-300 sheets)
• 8 new unsharpened pencils
• 1 ruler (flat, good quality; must indicate 30 cm (inch markings optional)
• 12 colored pencils (in packaging)
• 1 large eraser
• 4 new black or blue ballpoint pens
• 1 small all-metal pencil sharpener (one or two holes)

• My Coins Count: Next Sunday, July 28 we will have our monthly My Coins Count offering. Please bring your coins, cash and checks to donate to the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee. 

• Worship at Retreat on August 4: Sunday, August 4 we will gather at the Friendship retreat in Geauga County for our worship service at 11:00am. There will not be worship at the building or online. Following the service, we will share lunch together. Please plan on bringing your own table service as well as a dish to share.

• Sunday School: Sunday school for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 8. This year we will have a class for children (ages 3-grade 4) and a youth class (grades 5-12). We are looking for volunteers to teach in either class! Contact Amy Gingerich if you are interested in teaching either the children’s or the youth class. 

• FMC Open Golf Tournament: Sign up for the first ever FMC Open Golf Tournament can be found in the foyer. Golfers and non-golfers alike are invited to join in on the fun!
• MCC School Kit Challenge: Notebooks and pencils are treasures for families around the world who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Without these items, many kids in places like Ethiopia, Ukraine and South Sudan can’t get the education they desperately need. Enter, the School Kit Challenge: 24,000 school kits to help 24,000 kids during the month of August. Plus, we’ve got a fun activity for Sunday School and VBS students! Download our free School Kit Challenge activity resource full of challenges for kids to learn how school supplies help children receive a tangible message of God’s love. To learn more about this challenge and to download this free guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge

• 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!

• Outdoor Worship Next Sunday: Next Sunday, join us for worship outside 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.  

• MCC School Kit Challenge: Notebooks and pencils are treasures for families around the world who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Without these items, many kids in places like Ethiopia, Ukraine and South Sudan can’t get the education they desperately need. Enter, the School Kit Challenge: 24,000 school kits to help 24,000 kids during the month of August. Plus, we’ve got a fun activity for Sunday School and VBS students! Download our free School Kit Challenge activity resource full of challenges for kids to learn how school supplies help children receive a tangible message of God’s love. To learn more about this challenge and to download this free guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge