Meadowbrook Congregational Church

August 31, 2008 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Worship at 10:00 AM Sermon: "The Meaning of Work" Frank Maynard

A Canticle of Peace And it shall come to pass in the latter day That the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountain, And many shall go and say: Come ye and let us go into the house of the Lord. And He will teach us His way, and we will walk in His paths. And He shall judge and He shall judge between the nations. And shall reprove many nations. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, Nation shall not lift sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war anymore, Come ye, let us walk in the light of the Lord -- Come.

Current Events

• CHICKENFEST! Meadowbrook Congregational Church invites you to our Annual Chickenfest. Public Welcome! Come join us for food, fellowship, and fun, fun, fun!
  • Time: 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Date: Sunday September 7
  • Menu: BBQ chicken, potatoes, coleslaw and dessert.
  • Children portions and carryout^¥s will be available.
  • Cost only: $7.50 Adult, $3.50 Children 12 and Under, $5.00 Seniors
  Volunteers are needed! If you want to volunteer but you are not a board member, please feel free to sign up in Fellowship Hall. See Charlie Hokett if you have questions.
  
  
• ANOTHER CHANCE TO WEED ON WEDNESDAY: Grab a trowel and some gloves and join your church friends as they beautify the "circle". Wednesday, August 27, 9:30 a.m.
  
  
• NOVI EMERGENCY FOOD BANK: In August we are collecting Juice items, boxed or bottled. The collection basket can be found outside Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• BOOK CLUB: Our September selection is The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Set in Africa, this is the first novel in a series about Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's one and only female private detective. Copies of the book are available; please see Colleen Foster. Join us on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. for a discussion. Our original Sertember selection was unavailable.
  
  
• ADULT EDUCATION CLASS: The next session of Adult Christian Education classes will begin on Tuesday, September 17. The six-week class will focus on the book of Acts. Reverend Ritter will be the discussion leader. The topics will include the Day of Pentecost, the activities of the early church, the conversion of Saul, and the ministries of Paul and Peter to their respective communities. Above all we will look for ways in which the church today might learn from the church at its origin. The class will meet from 7:00-8:15 p.m. every Tuesday. Please bring your Bibles. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• GAME NIGHT RETURNS: Join your church friends for a taco dinner and games, Friday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. Signup sheet is in Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• CROP WALK: Walk away stress: Don't you deserve a break today? Get away from a stressful environment, breathe fresh air, and feel your body move. A walk is a natural stress relief. Walk Away Hunger: Plan now to walk, pledge, or volunteer in our community's CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, October 5th.
  
  
• ACOLYTES: All 5th and 6th grade youth are invited to participate in worship as an acolyte. Our young people bring the light of Jesus into the Meeting House each Sunday, and both boys and girls are encouraged to participate in this meaningful part of worship. Please signup in Fellowship Hall if you are interested. Questions? Call Norm Kubitskey at 248 880-3361.
  
  
• FAITH BOOKLETS: There is a new selection of booklets on prayer, anger, faith, children and teens at the welcome table in the main hallway. These booklets are a gift from Meadowbrook, and you are invited to take any that are of interest.
  
  
• CHURCH FUND RAISING OPPORTUNITY: Online auctions and lists are a unique way to raise funds for Meadowbrook, and clean out your closets at the same time. If you have computer skills plus a digital camera, and be willing to list and track those special donated items online, please see Rev. Ritter.
  
  
• THE MERRY WIDOWS' CLUB will be meeting on Thursday, August 28, 11:30 a.m. at the Farmington Hills Golf Club at 11 Mile and Halstead. Signup sheet is in Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• CPR CLASS: Meadowbrook Congregational Church along with the Novi Fire Department will be offering a CPR and AED class September 13 at 8 a.m.- Noon. (The Sept. 20 class has been cancelled.) Please signup in Fellowship Hall if you are interested. There may be a charge for this class. More details to follow.
  
  
• ADULT EDUCATION CLASS: The next session of Adult Christian Education classes will begin on Tuesday, September 17. The six-week class will focus on the book of Acts. Reverend Ritter will be the discussion leader. The topics will include the Day of Pentecost, the activities of the early church, the conversion of Saul, and the ministries of Paul and Peter to their respective communities. Above all we will look for ways in which the church today might learn from the church at its origin. The class will meet from 7:00-8:15 p.m. every Tuesday. Please bring your Bibles. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
  
  
• PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Meadowbrook Church will be starting a Prayer Shawl Ministry in the fall. This ministry is an opportunity for knitters to reach out in prayer and concern to others. The recipients are wrapped in the warm and loving prayers of a shawl and receive God's love in a touchable way. A sample prayer shawl (made by Lois Winters) can be seen in Fellowship Hall. The ministry might work together one day a month, or work separately at home; whatever suits the group. Patterns can be provided, or you can use your own. Basic knitting and crocheting skills are required. Would you like to learn more? The first meeting of this group is Tuesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. A signup sheet is next to the shawl.
  
  
• THE MESSENGER: Do you receive your newsletter via email? If you would like to, please let Nancy in the church office know. The deadline is generally the third Monday of the month and is always listed in the current newsletter issue and in the Sunday bulletin.
  
  

Church School News The new Church School year begins on Rally Sunday, September 7. Please join us for group activities and special guests (Want a hint? Woof Woof; Want another hint? They are man's best friend; and how about one more hint? They are warm and wiggly, and every kid wants one.) as we introduce our upcoming year. Our Workshop Rotations and High School class will begin on September 14. Teachers and shepherds are needed. Please sign-up in Fellowship Hall. 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!

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

WEDNESDAY, August 27

• Bulletin deadline
• 9:30 a.m. Weeding

THURSDAY, August 28

• 11:30 a.m. Merry Widows Club

FRIDAY, August 29

• Church office closed

SUNDAY, August 31

• 10:00 a.m. Worship - Sermon: "The Meaning of Work"
• 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.