Buhler Mennonite Church “News”

October, 2008, Vol. 22, no. 10

 

 

"For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways."

Psalms 91:11

 

“He has showed you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you but to

do justice, and to love kindness and to walk

humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8 RSV

 

 

“Only God is in a position to look down on anyone.”

“You never have to explain something you haven’t said.”

“Been taken for granted?  I know how you feel.  –God”

 

 

 

You are invited

Mission Festival with David Greiser from Hesston College

Fellowship Meal

Sunday, October 26

 

 

This Is My Church

It is composed of people like me. 

We make it what it is. 

I want it to be a church that is a lamp to the path of pilgrims, leading them to                  Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.  It will be, if I am.

It will be friendly, if I am friendly.

Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.

It will do great work, if I work.

It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.

It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I bring them.

It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church                  with a noble spirit -- if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these.

There with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things I     want my church to be.  --author unknown

 

 

Advantages of joining the choir...

1.  You have excellent seats and are assured a reserved seat for Christmas and Easter.

2.  From your advantageous seat, you can smile at, gawk at, ignore and otherwise enjoy the rest of the people in the congregation.

3.  The pastor is nearly always looking the other way.

4.  You’re in a wonderful spot to see new members.

5.  The cost for all these benefits?  Just one evening a week.

6.  Oh, yes, one more reason to join the choir:  You’re a leader in the worship experience.

 

Food for thought...  Fringe Benefits

Can faithfully attending worship actually raise your income?  MIT economist Jonathan Gruber thinks so.  In a study, he found that income increases by 10 percent when people double their church attendance.

            Gruber proposes these possible reasons:

*Churchgoers join in fellowship with one another, resulting in social and job networking.

*They support one another during losses and setbacks.  Such encouragement helps people do their best in all of life’s endeavors.

*Churchgoers tend to be less stressed by everyday life, enabling them to work creatively and be more productive.

            Boosting one’s bank account isn’t the reason most people go to church, of course.  But it’s interesting to note that worshipers reap both spiritual and earthly rewards. 

            --Newsletter Newsletter, 9-08

 

Looking back at September included many activities -- a community Bloodmobile, Mennonite Women’s Retreat at Camp Mennoscah, Women’s Bible Study, Devotions at Pleasant View Home, Teachers’ meeting, Church Council, Youth meetings, several church committees, and the Church Carnival! 

            Thank you to B.J. Parsons and Melaney Dick for their leadership of the carnival preparations and for the many people who pitched in and helped in so many ways!  It was a fun event enjoyed by many!

            The parking lot was poured last week Saturday and will soon be ready for use.  Thank you to the many who have donated to this expense.  We still have a long way to go to get this expense paid off so your donations are very much appreciated.  Please send them to P. O. Box 188, Buhler, KS 67522 or you may place your check in the offering plate on Sunday mornings.

 

Urgent need!   MCC is sending Relief Kits, blankets, school kits, newborn kits, sewing kits and heavy blankets to Iraq through October.  You may collect the items for the relief kits and/or make monetary donations to MCC.

Contents (NEW items only) for Relief Kits --

• 4 bars bath soap (110-140g / 4-5 oz, in wrappers)

• 1  plastic bottle shampoo (380-710 ml / 13-24 oz; place bottle in a resealable plastic bag)

• 10 cups powdered laundry detergent (double bag in 4 liter / 1 gallon resealable plastic bags)

• 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130 ml / 6oz; leave in box)

•  4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)

•  4 new bath towels (medium weight, dark color)

•  1 hairbrush (remove packaging)

•  1 comb (20 cm / 8")

•  1 fingernail clipper

•  1 box adhesive bandages (minimum 40, assorted)

•  1 package sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi or ultra thin)

Place contents in a box or bag and bring the kits to the east hallway at church.  The kits will be taken to MCC at North Newton where they will be packed in new 5 gallon plastic pails with lids.

 

The Mission Festival offering will go 3/4 to MEA (Mennonite Education Agency) and 1/4 to Hesston College.   The list is on the table in the east hallway.

 

You will find a variety of pamphlets on the literature table at the back of the sanctuary relating to different concerns, problems, illnesses, etc.  These are for you to take, read and share as you wish.

 

Ladies and girls!  We are bringing back the Buhler Mennonite Girls weekend.  The dates are Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 at the Cross Wind Conf. Center in Hesston.  We are going to have SO much fun!  The theme for the weekend is “Laughter”.  This is for little girls, big girls, middle age girls and mature girls, moms, daughters, granddaughters… you get the picture. The only requirement is that you are a ‘GIRL’!!

            We will have booths set up on Friday evening of lots of different things to play with -- Scents, Exercise, Make-up, Jewelry, Crafts, Art, and more.  Saturday we will be joined by a Christian Comedian.

Please see the signup sheet in the hallway.  Each person will receive a t-shirt designed especially for this occasion.  Cost is:  Child (under 5) $15 ea. (5-12) $35. Ea.  Adults—4 to a room would be $65 ea. or 2 to a room would be $75 ea. These rooms are similar to hotel rooms with several beds and a private bath.  This includes supper Friday, breakfast & lunch Saturday.  --Pam Fast, Bonnie Danner, Candi Sawatzky

 

Greensburg Mennonite Church will hold a dedication ceremony on Sunday, November 2, for their new church building.  This South Central Conference church was destroyed nearly 1 1/2 years ago in the May 4, 2007 tornado.  All are invited to help celebrate this joyous occasion.  Call South Central Conference for details:  316-284-1421.

 

 

WDC invites you for an evening of singing hymns, storytelling, and music featuring Jonathan Larson, longtime Mennonite pastor and speaker about Africa - its beauty and travail.  Everyone is invited to Bethel College Mennonite Church, Sunday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m.

 

From Camp Mennoscah-- Can you believe it?  MennoFolk Family Camp is almost here!  Brochures have been sent and activities have been planned.  Come join us October 10-12 for smores, music, and all sorts of camping fun.  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 for more info.

 

Grapevine, a group of Christian educators who share and brainstorm issues, ideas and solutions, will gather at 7 p.m. on Thurs, Oct 9 at the WDC office. All are welcome! Call Marlene Bogard--316-283-6300.

 

 

BMC CALENDAR – OCTOBER, 2008

WEDNESDAY, Oct 1 – 6:15 pm – Meal

            7 pm – Bible Study for 2 years old through Grade 8

            7 pm – Bible Study for Adults

            (NOTE:  No Junior Singers nor Chancel Choir meet this week.)

SATURDAY, Oct 4 – Buhler Frolic

            Bethel College Fall Fest

SUNDAY, Oct 5 – World Wide Communion Sunday

            “Celebrate the Joy” - Pastor Matt – Nehemial 8:1-18

            Hymns: “Here I am to worship” – words on the wall,

            SL 97, no. 119 vs 1, SL 48,  SL 76

            6:30 pm – Youth meet at HMC

TUESDAY, Oct 7 – 7 pm – Devotions at Sunshine Meadows

            7:30 pm – Baby shower for Haley & Madeline in church basement

            7:30 pm – MCC Meat Canner Committee meeting – in Fellowship Hall

WEDNESDAY, Oct 8 - – 6:15 pm – Meal

            7 pm – Bible Study for 2 years old through Grade 8

            7 pm – Bible Study for Adults

            8 pm – Junior Singers (grades 1-6)

            8 pm – Chancel Choir (Adults & Youth)

SUNDAY, Oct 12 – “Offer A Hand!” – Pastor Bob – Nehemiah 5:9-13

            Hymns: 49, 395, SL 67

            6:30 pm – Youth meet at HMC

MONDAY, Oct 13 – 7 pm – Women’s Bible Study meets at SMRC

WEDNESDAY, Oct 15 - 6:15 pm – Meal

            7 pm – Bible Study for 2 years old through Grade 8

            7 pm – Bible Study for Adults

            8 pm – Junior Singers (grades 1-6)

            8 pm – Chancel Choir (Adults & Youth)

SUNDAY, Oct 19 – “Take A Stand!” – Pastor Bob – Nehemial 6:3-13, 15-16

            Hymns: 53, 396, SL 63

            5 pm – Youth – corn maze and hot dog roast

            Elmer & Renetta Kroeker’s 50^th anniversary open house

MONDAY, Oct 20 – 7 pm – Church Council

TUESDAY, Oct 21 – 1:30 pm – Friendly Circle

WEDNESDAY, Oct 22 - 6:15 pm – Meal

            7 pm – Bible Study for 2 years old through Grade 8

            7 pm – Bible Study for Adults

            8 pm – Junior Singers (grades 1-6)

            8 pm – Chancel Choir (Adults & Youth)

SUNDAY, Oct 26 – Mission Festival with David Greiser from Hesston College

            Hymns:  60, 398, SL 71 vs 1-3, 6

            Fellowship Meal

WEDNESDAY, Oct 29 - 6:15 pm – Meal

            7 pm – Bible Study for 2 years old through Grade 8

            7 pm – Bible Study for Adults

            8 pm – Junior Singers (grades 1-6)

            8 pm – Chancel Choir (Adults & Youth)