Meadowbrook Congregational Church

• MEMBER BIBLE DISPLAY
  A display of cherished Bibles - from heirloom family Bibles to children's Bibles - are on display this morning in Fellowship Hall. Please take a moment to view these treasured keepsakes shared by Meadowbrook members and friends. Many of these Bibles are delicate and in fragile condition, so please refrain from handling. A heartfelt thank you to all who shared their wonderful Bibles.
• BIBLES FOR THE U.S. TROOPS
  In addition to the Bible display, the Board of Christian Education will be accepting donations to purchase Bibles for U.S. troops. Bibles are among the most sought after items by military chaplains and troops serving in Iraq and troops preparing for deployment. Through its Military Chaplain Outreach, the International Bible Society provides special lightweight, desert camouflage Bibles to military personnel. A sample Bible will be on display at the donation table during Fellowship Hour. All donations received during the May 18 Fellowship Hour will be sent to the Military Chaplain Outreach to purchase Bibles. A donation of only $3.50 provides a Bible to the men and women serving our country.

Church School News BIBLE SUNDAY: Meadowbrook has a long standing tradition of presenting 2nd graders with Bibles. This year we will present a Bible that is more age appropriate for young children. If you have a 2nd grader or an older child who has not yet received a Bible, pleaseÿcontact Colleen Foster so that your child will be included. The Bible Presentation will take place on Church School Sunday, May 18. TEACHER AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: Next Sunday, all teachers, shepherds, helpers, youth advisors, and nursery caregivers will be recognized. If you have helped in our Christian Education program, please be sure to attend. YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Please have the children at rehearsal each week to prepare for these performances. Rehearsals are every Sunday immediately following worship. All children and youth are invited to join the choirs. May 18 - Children's Choir and MC4 THANK YOU FROM CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Being a Bucket Filler was our theme for Church School this year. "Bucket Fillers" are those who help without being asked, give hugs and compliments, and generally spread their love and good feelings to others. We have so many bucket fillers here at Meadowbrook. The Children, Youth, and Board of Christian Education invite you to take a bucket of candy on your way out of worship today. Thank you to all our Bucket Fillers! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: It's not too early to start thinking about Power Lab, where kids discover Jesus' miraculous power! VBS at Meadowbrook this year is July 21-25. All children age 4 through those completing 5th grade are invited to attend. If you are interested in helping with the planning of this year's VBS, please see Colleen Foster. Get more information and register. There will be a planning meeting on Sunday, June 1st at 11:30 a.m. in the Art Room. Everyone is welcome. If you can share a day or week of your time before or during VBS, please attend and learn more. BLUE JEAN DAY: Next Sunday, May 25, is Blue Jean Day for the children and youth. Dress casually; a special activity is planned. SUMMER CHURCH CAMP: Mark you calendar and save the date for the Michigan Conference of Congregational Christian Churches Summer Camp. The date and location have been changed for 2008. It will now be held the first full week of August, Sunday afternoon, August 3rd through Friday evening, August 8th at the YMCA Camp Copneconic in Fenton. CHILDREN'S BULLETIN: Did you know that a special Children's Bulletin is available for every child attending worship? These bulletins have age appropriate Bible scripture readings and lessons. The orange bulletins are for ages 3-6 and the blue bulletins are for ages 7-12. Your child can get their own copy from the Ushers. NURSERY CHILD CARE: Child care is available during worship service for children under 3 years old. Our clean, modern nursery is located off the main hall, past the coat room, and staffed by church members. CELL PHONES, INK CARTRIDGES, EYE GLASSES are all being collected in the Fellowship Hall and will be recycled. The phones and cartridges are a small fund raiser for the Christian Education Board.

Pilgrim Fellowship News All youth, grades 6-12, are invited to join Pilgrim Fellowship or PF. Meetings are Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Friends are welcome! Upcoming meetings and events: Pantry Raid, May 18

Ongoing announcements

• OFFICE HOURS are from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday (until 1:30 p.m. during summer). Rev. Art Ritter is in the office Monday through Thursday.
  
  
• NAME TAGS: Members of Meadowbrook Congregational are provided with name tags in order to make it easy to meet new friends. If you do not have a name tag, we encourage you to write one for yourself at the Welcome Table immediately inside the parking lot entrance. If you have lost or misplaced your name tag, please let Nancy in the church office know and a new one will be made for you. The name tags are housed immediately outside the coat closet in the main hall.
  
  
• CHURCH COOKBOOK: The Meadowbrook Cookbook is available for purchase. Cost is $10. See Nancy in the church office.
  
  
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you would like to be part of the committee that provides meals for church members who are in need of an occasional meal, or the committee that provides the luncheon following funerals, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• MEADOWBROOK PRAYER CHAIN: If you, or someone you know, would like to be placed on the Meadowbrook Church Prayer Chain, please call Sally Grattan at 248 661-2827.
  
  
• USED READING GLASSES: The Lions Club of Novi is collecting used prescription reading glasses for people around the world. If you no longer needed glasses are cluttering that junk drawer or dresser top, please consider donating them. The collection box is in the Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• DID YOU KNOW that strategically placed around the church are small artificial floral arrangements that can be purchased if you have need for a hostess gift, a get-well gift or simply something to adorn your own table. Each item is marked and comes with its own gift bag. Gift bags and arrangements go together. Gift bags are not to be taken separately. Also, near each arrangement is a small box in which you can put your check made out to Meadowbrook Church. These arrangements have been made by Kay Crowell and the proceeds from each sale goes to the Flower Fund.
  
  
• THE FLOWER FUND is in need of donations. The beautiful flowers that grace our meeting house are made possible by contributions from our members and friends through the Board of Deacons. If you would like to make a contribution, which can commemorate an event or a loved one, please contact the church office or complete a flower fund card found in the pews and place it in the collection plate.
  
  
• BOOK CLUB SCHEDULE: The Meadowbrook Book Club meetings will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook. All are welcome. Here is a listing of the books to be discussed in the coming months:
  • July 2007: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
  • August 2007: Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
  • September 2007: One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus
  • October 2007: Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor
  • November 2007: Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile
  • December 2007: For One More Day by Mitch Albom
  • January 2008: The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
  • February 2008: The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King
  • March 2008: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
  • April 2008: The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson
  • May 2007: The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
  • June 2007: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan

  Last year's books were:

  • September 2006: Entering Normal by Anne LeClaire
  • October 2006: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
  • November 2006: The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
  • December 2006: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
  • January 2007: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
  • February 2007: Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik
  • March 2007: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
  • April 2007: Arc of Justice by Kevin Boyle
  • May 2007: The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble
  • June 2007: Life is So Good by George Dawson
  
  
  
• BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please be sure that all bulletin announcements are submitted by noon on Wednesday. This will ensure that they are included in the following Sunday bulletin.
  
  
• USED CELL PHONES AND CHARGERS: Meadowbrook Congregational Church is collecting used cell phones for donation to women in domestic abuse situations. The collection box is in the Fellowship Hall. This program is coordinated through www.shelteralliance.net.
  
  
• DID YOU KNOW that Meadowbrook is now part of the Michigan Community Child Watch Program? As part of the program, the church staff serve as the eyes and ears to observe and report any situation involving children that might be dangerous, suspicious or questionable as it involves their safety. The signs we have in the windows are to indicate to the children that Meadowbrook is safe place for them to come if they feel threatened in any way.
  
  
• HELP WANTED! We need teachers and shepherds for the upcoming Church School year. Please see the sign-up sheets in Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Foster.
  
  
• THE CHURCH NURSERY has a rotational schedule in place. Please call the church office (248-348-7757) if you can volunteer your time as a substitute.
  
  
• THE BOARD OF DEACONS IS IN NEED OF BAKERS AND HOSTS for funeral/memorial receptions. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall if you would like to help.
  
  
• WE NEED YOUR LOVE! The Deacons are organizing a rotating schedule of people to provide a portion of a "Dinner With Love" for any Meadowbrook member who needs one. Dinners will be delivered to those who have been hospitalized, have had surgery, lost a loved one, added a baby to the family or simply.... someone who needs one! Please sign up in Fellowship Hall or speak to Jody Scheller or Carol Riddell. We need many people to help "SPREAD OUR LOVE" to those in need. Thank you.
  
  
• ATTENTION COLLEGE-BOUND HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: Olivet College Board of Trustees has great news: Olivet College will make available $5,000 in scholarship funds for a student from each Church of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. These scholarships are renewable up to $20,000 over four years. This scholarship does not preclude any other scholarship or grant that a student might receive. If you are interested, contact Olivet (269-749-7000).
  
  
• FUN FUNDS HAVE ARRIVED at Meadowbrook. Save money at Gordon Food Service and help your church by showing your card when you check out. Meadowbrook will get a percentage of "Fun Funds" items purchased each month. It is easy to use! Sign up in Fellowship Hall by filling out a short application and receive a sale flier with coupons. Enrollment in the program is open to anyone, so take an extra sheet for family members, neighbors and co-workers. See or call Denise Parr for more information.
  
  

Activities at Meadowbrook

EVERY SUNDAY

• 10:00 a.m. Worship & Church School (age 4 through high school)
• 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hour
• 6:00-8:00 p.m. Pilgrim Fellowship

SATURDAY, May 17

• 9:30 a.m. Church Sunday School rehearsal
• 5:30 p.m. Road Rally

SUNDAY, May 18

• 10:00 a.m. Worship - Church School Sunday
• Children's Choir and MC4 perform
• 11:00 a.m. Fellowship
• 11:15 a.m. Prospective Member meeting
• 6:00 p.m. Pilgrim Fellowship - Pantry Raid

MONDAY, MAY 19
• The Messenger deadline
• 7:00 p.m. Trustees meeting

TUESDAY, May 20

• 7:00 p.m. RSI Informational Meeting

WEDNESDAY, May 21

• Bulletin deadline

THURSDAY, May 22

• 11:30 a.m. Widows Group - Guernsey Farms Restaurant

SUNDAY, May 25

• 10:00 a.m. Worship - Sermon: "On the Shoulders of Giants"
• 11:00 a.m. Fellowship

• Visit us for Sunday worship! We are located at 21355 Meadowbrook Road in Novi, one-quarter mile north of Eight Mile Road. Meadowbrook is one mile west of Haggerty Road. View a map and directions.
• Use our online response form and your message will be forwarded to the appropriate person for reply.
• Call Meadowbrook Congregational Church anytime at (248) 348-7757. Church office hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday (9:00 AM to 1:30 PM in the summer); there is a 24-hour voicemail system to leave a message after hours. Quite frequently there is someone to answer the phone outside of office hours as well.

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, and all the ways you can, and all the places you can, at the times you can, to all the people you can as long as you ever can.