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Caledonia Congregational Church

May 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

5/1/2019

Friends-
The month of May always reminds me that following Jesus is an option.

We "may" choose to follow him. We "may" choose to ignore him.

The choice is up to us.

There is a very small word that is very significant in our life of faith. It is the word "if". Jesus used it a lot, especially as it applies to following him and being his disciple. He said,
"If anyone would be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me."
Paul wrote,
"If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation- the old has gone, the new has come."

I can promise you that the choice of following him, of being his disciple, of being made new is a costly and not easy one. It is a choice that Jesus himself said we should weigh well before making.

I can also promise that the decision to follow him will never disappoint. It will bless in ways we can't even imagine. It will lead to the full, abundant life that we all long for, that we were made for.

We don't have to choose that life... but we may.

What are you choosing?
Gary

Calendar
Thursdays - 5/2 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
5/2 - National Day of Prayer - Pray for our country today!
5/23 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Come to eat and/or serve.

Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am.
    5/5 - Communion Sunday

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - various topics.

Other News:
Thanks - Thank you to all those who helped clean the church in April. Also thanks to everyone who brought food for the Maundy Thursday dinner.

Refreshments - Just a reminder that everyone is invited to participate in our new format for treats. No signup sheet, just bring something when you would like. It can be whatever you would like. Even a bottle of juice is appreciated. Also feel free to put something in the bottom shelf of the kitchen freezer to be used for a future Sunday.

Coin Collection - Thanks to all who contributed to our recent coin collection. The next coin collection is June 30.

April 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

4/1/2019

Friends-
In a month that begins with a celebration of foolishness, it might be important to remember that we are told in Proverbs that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

It is also a month in which we, and our brothers and sisters around the world, celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus. In this death and resurrection, we believe that we have been set free from the power of sin and death, made new creations, given eternal life.

And it is a month when spring really takes hold, and we say goodbye to winter and start to amp up for summer!

Pretty big month!

I’m excited to be celebrating this month with you, and working together with you, and enjoying fellowship with you.

Looking forward to a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - studying sermon topic from the Sunday before.

Thursdays - 4/4 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
4/18 - Maundy Thursday - 5:30 Soup Supper and 7 PM Communion Worship Service.
4/25 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM.

Saturdays - 4/13 - Church Spring Cleaning Day - 9 am - 12 noon.

Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
4/7 - Communion Sunday
4/14 - Palm Sunday
4/21 - Easter Sunday!

Other News:
Help support Dylan's family - T-Shirt fund-raiser. The proceeds from the sale of these shirts will help defray his medical costs.

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/dylan-dossett-shirt-fundraiser

Church Spring Cleaning Day - Our annual church cleaning day will be Saturday, April 13 from 9 am - 12 noon. Everyone is encouraged to come and help in some way.

Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 18 - We will gather for a soup supper in the basement at 5:30 PM. Then we will head upstairs for a 7 PM Communion worship service. If you would like to help provide food for the meal, there is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship room.

Thanks - Thanks to Bruce and Ginny Johnson for all their work for our gospel and bluegrass concert. It was a great evening. Thanks to anyone else who helped in any way.

Refreshments - Every Sunday is like a mini potluck now during our fellowship hour. There is no longer a sign-up sheet, but feel free to bring some kind of snack once in a while. Thanks to those who have been contributing!

Community Dinner - Did you know our church is responsible for the community dinner on the 4th Thursday of every month? It is held at the Poplar Grove Methodist Church, but it is not their program. Several of our members prepare and serve the meal. We are all invited to help or to come to eat and fellowship with the people who are eating. It is a great chance to minister to others. Please talk to Sandy Free or Curt Moore if you are interested.

Coin Collection - Our next quarterly coin collection will be Sunday, June 30. Bring your jars of coins and we will collect them for benevolence. Thanks for all your generosity to others!

March 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

3/1/2019

Friends-
By now, many, maybe most of you know that March has the only day of the year that is a command. And if you know that, you probably also know that it is my birthday! That's right, March 4th (march forth) is the only day of the year that is a command. I take it as my destiny call!

But, so what? Is this just a shameless plug for birthday greetings?  What does this fact have to do with the ministry we do at Caledonia?

Actually, the call to march forth is throughout scripture. The Jewish people launched out of Egypt on such a command! Countless Old Testament battles were led by kings and generals who heard the call. In the New Testament, everyone who heard and followed the call to follow Jesus was in fact, following a call to march forth, to step out in faith, and go wherever he went.

Perhaps the strongest call to this was in the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples. In Matthew 28:20, just before he left this earth to return to his Father, Jesus told them to "go into all the world and make disciples of all people". Talk about marching orders!

That assignment is why we and every other Christian congregation exists. To bring the good news of God's love and salvation to all. Let's march forth into that assignment every day!
Gary

PS - A couple more things: The Wednesday night Bible discussion is using the theme and scriptures from the previous Sunday as our discussion guide. Everyone is welcome to join us in that discussion- it's not a closed group.

- Last Sunday we talked about living moment to moment, focused on God. One practical way to practice this is to begin work on turning our thoughts into prayers, our monologues into dialogues. We are always thinking, and we can, with only a little effort, begin to change those thoughts into prayers by addressing them to God. Talk to me if you would like some examples of what I mean.

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
3/3 - Communion Sunday
3/31 - Coin Collection for Benevolence fund.

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
3/6 - Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins.

Thursdays - 3/14 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
   3/28 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - eat and/or serve.

Saturdays - 3/9 - Set your clocks ahead one hour tonight - Daylight Savings begins!
3/16 - Music Concert - 7 PM - Sanctuary - Bluegrass Band and Gospel Quartet.

Other News:
Thanks - Thank you to everyone who helped before, during, and after Susan Siek's funeral. So many helped to make it a wonderful day to celebrate her life.

Concert - Do you have cabin fever from this long winter? Then come on out for an evening of music on Saturday, March 16 from 7- 9 PM in the sanctuary. The first act will be our own Bruce Johnson's Timber Point Bluegrass Band. The second act will be Hope 4, a gospel quartet from Hope Free Church. Ginny Johnson's brother is in that group! We could use some people to help, so please talk to Bruce if you are willing to help with this event. This is open to the public and we want to get the word out. Please plan on attending a fun night of wonderful music and fun fellowship. Invite your family and friends!

Refreshments - Just a reminder that our Sunday fellowship treats will no longer have a sign-up sheet. Anytime you feel like sharing something, just bring it. We hope everyone can participate in this simple plan at some point in time. We will always have coffee.

Coin Collection - Our next quarterly coin collection will be Sunday, March 31. Bring your jars of coins and we will collect them for our Benevolence Fund.

Looking Ahead:
Thursday, April 18 - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service.

Sunday, April 21 - Easter Sunday!

Service Cancelled on 02/10/19

2/9/2019

Due to heavy ice at the church and concern for safety, worship service is cancelled for tomorrow, Sunday, 02/10/19. Please spread the word.

February 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

2/2/2019

Friends,
This is NOT the month of Feb-You-Ary. It's the month of Fe-Brew-Ary.

And that reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we can either brew up trouble, or brew up blessings- the choice is up to us.

See, the choices we make every day are either taking us in the direction of trouble, or in the direction of blessing. What we choose makes all the difference... good choices, good consequences. Bad choices... well, you get the idea.

"...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Paul, writing to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:1-3))

And, speaking of brewing, in that same letter, Paul writes: " Do not get drunk with wine, but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit." (5:18) I think the issue here is bigger than wine. We can "get drunk" on other things as well: pleasure, power, money- anything that takes us over and usurps Gods rightful first place in our lives. The emphasis, I believe, is on the second part of that statement. When you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, you will little want or need to be filled with anything else.

So, what are you brewing up this month? Make sure it's something that's good for you, and for those around you.

Have a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
1/3 - Communion Sunday

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - Everyone
invited!

Thursdays - 2/7 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
2/28 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - Come to serve,
and/or eat.

Saturdays - 2/9 - Southern Breakfast - 8 am - 12 noon - House of God - 840 Brooke Road, Rockford.

Other News:
Southern Breakfast - Some of us are going to a southern breakfast put on at the House of God in Rockford on Saturday, February 9. It is located at 840 Brooke Road. It is a cultural experience you won't want to miss. The menu usually consists of eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, ham, coffee, juice and probably more. Cost is usually around $10. Talk to Gary if you have questions.

Refreshments - Starting in February we are trying a new approach for our fellowship hour. For now, there will no longer be a refreshment sign-up sheet. Any given Sunday that you feel like bringing a plate of something to share, just bring it. Please consider occasionally bringing something. It can be a plate of cookies or bowl of fruit or cheese and crackers or anything you want! We are not very picky! We are hoping this will simplify things and that more people can participate in this way. Some weeks we may have a lot and maybe some weeks very little. We will always have coffee. Please be patient while we try this new approach and please participate!

Church Board - The board for 2019 consists of Deacons: Barb Kohl and Mark Zellman, Trustees: Curt Moore, Bob Lyford, and Dave Kohl, Communion Helpers: Rita Gillette and Deb Zellman, Financial Secretary: Nathalie Lyford, Treasurer: Dave Walker and Moderator: Pastor Gary.

Coordinator Needed - We are still seeking someone who will coordinate details for Christmas Eve. Please talk to Jennifer if you are interested. Thanks for others who have stepped up to fill the other positions.

Flowers - There are still a few months open for signing up to provide flowers or some type of decoration for the front of the church. Sign up in the fellowship room.

Coin Collection - Our next coin collection for benevolence will be March 31. Thanks for saving your coins!

January 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

1/1/2019

Friends-
Happy New Year?

It occurs to me that it might be hard to maintain happiness for a whole year...

Heck, it's hard for me to maintain happiness for a whole day sometimes!

A moment might be the best we can achieve, and then only with God's help. And happiness seems so dependent on circumstances. My real prayer for you, for myself, for others I love is joy.

Joy is both a gift from God and a decision we make. It is not dependent on the circumstances, good or bad. In fact, the Bible tells us we are to count times of trial as opportunities to practice rejoicing! We are told to rejoice always! We are told that God's joy is our strength.

Looking ahead even a little into this new year, we could get anxious, fearful, overwhelmed. We needn't be. The God who brought us thus far will not ever abandon us. Jesus told his followers just before he died that it was his intent and purpose that His joy would be in them, and that their joy would be full. I believe he wants the same for us.

So, don't spend a lot of time trying to plan the perfect year. Plan, yes, but take each day, each moment, as it comes determined to rejoice in the One who gives us each one those moments and days.

Living the adventure with you,
Gary

Calendar
Thursdays - 1/3 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
1/24 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - Everyone welcome to eat
                and/or serve.

Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
1/6 - Communion Sunday. Also bring your jar of change if you forgot it last week.
1/13- Annual Meeting and Potluck immediately following worship. Church basement.

Wednesdays - 1/9 - Bible Study starts back up. 7 PM - Fellowship Room. Will meet every
                Wednesday the rest of the month.

Other News:
Annual Meeting and Potluck - Please stay for our annual meeting on Sunday, January 13. We will enjoy a potluck dinner before the meeting. If possible bring a hot and a cold dish to pass. This is an important time to discuss our past and our future of our church. Your thoughts and input are needed! You should have received your minutes from our 2018 annual meeting via email. Please read and/or bring along to the meeting this year.

Coordinators Needed - We are looking for a greeter coordinator and a Christmas Eve coordinator for 2019. Please talk to Jennifer if you are interested.

Flowers - Each month one person is in charge of providing some kind of flowers, plants, candle, or other decorations for the front of the sanctuary. Consider taking a month! Sign up sheet is in the fellowship room. Thanks to everyone who brought all kinds of beautiful things for 2018.

Thanks - Thanks to everyone who brought cookies for our sing along and for Christmas Eve. We had so many we were able to use them for the Sundays following those events as well.

Refreshments - We will be trying a new approach to treats for our Sunday fellowship time. There will no longer be a sign up sheet. Any given Sunday that you feel like bringing something, just bring it. We will just see what shows up each week. Some weeks we may not have much and some weeks perhaps we will have a lot. There will always be coffee. For most of last year it was getting harder and harder to get commitments to sign up. So we will try this approach at least for awhile.

Looking Ahead:
Save Your Change - Next quarterly collection of jars of coins will be March 31. This is a way for us to build up our benevolence fund.

Strong Spirits!

12/16/2018

Friends-
We all need hope. It is a gift from God that keeps us going when we want to quit. A few thoughts...

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11)

"... we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit..." Paul the apostle (Romans 5:3-5)

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Paul again (Romans 8:24,25)

Hope is a longing for an improved situation. Without it, we are hope-less, we despair. Isn't it interesting that trials themselves can be the source of hope? We may all get to the point of despair at times, but we must remember that it is a lie- there is always hope! God never lets us down! It may seem he has, or feel like we are all alone in the bottom of a deep hole, but we are not. God is with us, even there, and wants to give us hope, to buoy us up and into the light again.

Hope is not wishful thinking. It is a powerful gift that keeps us moving forward.
Ask God to fill you with His hope!

Have a great week!
Gary

December 2018 at Caledonia Congregational Church

12/1/2018

Friends-
The arrival of the first winter storm. The arrival of the cards and letters from old friends and family. The arrival of winter itself, and so, the arrival of longer days. The arrival of packages and presents. The arrival of family and friends. The arrival of bills for those packages and presents.

This is the season of arrivals. Advent means "arrival". And all of the above is part of it, at least in our culture.

But of course, none of them, nor all of them together, matches the arrival of that which this season is all about. That arrival is the coming of God as man, God as a baby, God as one of us. Come to show us who God is. Come to heal us and deliver us. Come to set us free and restore us- all of us- to as right relationship with our loving Father.

As we prepare for the many arrivals of the season, let's keep our eyes on Jesus. He came once as a human, so many years ago. He comes daily now, to every waiting and seeking heart. And he will come again, arriving with power and glory and might- the last and greatest arrival!

Happy Advent! Blessed Christmas!
Gary

CALENDAR
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
12/2 - Communion Sunday - First Sunday in Advent.
- Congregational Meeting to follow after worship.
12/9 - Second Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship time at Alice VanBrocklin's home.
12/16 - Third Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship time at the Green's home. Walk on over after church.
12/23 - Fourth Sunday in Advent.
12/30 - Collection of jars of change for benevolence fund.

Mondays - 12/24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7 PM.
- Cookies and beverages served in the fellowship room after the service.

Wednesdays - 12/5 and 12/12 - Bible Study - 7-8:30 PM - Fellowship Room.
12/5 and 12/12 - prayer, reflection, rest 6-9 PM Sanctuary
12/19 - Sing the Songs of Christmas - 6:30 PM - Sanctuary.

Thursdays - 12/7 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
12/27 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - come to eat and/or serve.

Other News:
Congregational Meeting - This Sunday, December 2, there will be a short congregational meeting. Decisions about the church budget will be discussed. Please plan on staying for this important meeting. Grab a cup of coffee and some treats, then head back into the sanctuary for the meeting.

Refreshments - On December 9 we will head over to Alice VanBrocklin's house for treats after church. Takes only a minute to get there. Carpool for easier parking. She lives at 14730 Caledonia Road. December 16 we will walk over to Angela and Stacy Greens house for our fellowship time. Also please note that there is a new sign up sheet for December through February in the fellowship room.

Sing the Songs of Christmas - We are having an indoor Christmas carol sing-along on Wednesday, December 19. Invite friends and family for a fun night to sing all your favorites Christmas songs. Cookies and hot chocolate afterward. If you are not into singing, just come for fun and to celebrate the season!

Sanctuary open for holiday respite/prayers- I love our sanctuary this time of year! I was in it for some solitude after the Bible discussion on Wednesday night- so lovely, peaceful, holy. But, I don't want to be selfish! So, we will open up the sanctuary on the first 2 Wednesdays of the month from 6-9pm, for any who might want to pray, reflect, or just get a little silence into their life. (Bible discussion will still go on in the fellowship room from 7-8:30)

Cookies - We need cookies! We would like to have cookies or some kind of treats for our December 19 sing along and our Christmas Eve service. Please bring some if you are able. Thanks!

Save Your Change - We will be having our quarterly collection of coins on Sunday, December 30. The board has initiated this plan to help build up our benevolence fund. In September we collected a total of $237.40!

Flowers - A new sign up sheet for altar flowers for 2019 is in the fellowship room. Choose a month and furnish some type of flower, plant, candle, or decor for each Sunday in your month. Thank you to all who furnished beautiful arrangements this year.

Happy December Birthdays!
25 - Jesus Christ

Looking Ahead:
Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner - Sunday, January 13 - Everyone is encouraged to be a part of this important time. After church, we will gather for a potluck and then conduct our annual business meeting.

November 2018 at Caledonia Congregational Church

11/1/2018

Friends-
What if, instead of reminding ourselves on Thanksgiving to be thankful all the time, we remind ourselves of that right now?

What if we decided as a congregation that we would make gratitude our practice the entire month of November? When we are tempted to grumble or complain, we choose instead to give thanks? That when things don't go as we planned, we choose to trust that God has it all under control, and thank him for that?

What would happen if we intentionally, and intensely, began each day thanking God for as much as we could think of, even before we have our coffee or breakfast?

Does this sound nuts to you? Well, thanksgiving brings us into the presence of God (Psalm 100:4). When we are in his presence, we have direct access to him and all he offers. Thanksgiving is not just a good rule to be polite. Thanksgiving is a radical act, refusing to let all the cynicism and darkness of the world shape our thoughts and our hearts.

Thanksgiving will shape us... and our world. Try it!
Gary

CALENDAR
Saturdays - 11/3 - Set your clocks back 1 hour tonight! Daylight savings time ends!

Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
11/4 - Communion Sunday - light lunch in basement after church.
11/11 - Fall Harvest Potluck - Church Basement - right after church.
11/18 - Thanksgiving Worship Service
11/25 - Decorate the church for Christmas during fellowship hour.

Tuesdays - 11/6 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - new day for this month only.

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday: Bible Study - 7-8:30 PM - Fellowship Room.

Other News:
Socktober - Thanks to everyone who helped out in so many ways, our Socktober was a huge success! Our sock drawer was overflowing! We collected over 302 pairs of socks for veterans! We continue to ask God to bless the people who will receive those socks. Our Socktoberfest potluck was also a success. It was a delicious meal eaten on beautifully decorated tables. Special thanks to Joyce Lowecke for the Socktober idea and for Judy Murphy being on the point to make it happen.

Lunch - Enjoy a light lunch after church this coming Sunday, November 4. Served in the basement. Thanks Leslie and Judy!

Fall Harvest Potluck - Please stay after church on Sunday, November 11 for a delicious turkey dinner potluck. There is a sign up sheet to help bring the side dishes. Or you can call Nikki at 815 - 979-3641 or email her at nstefan123@aol.com to do the same thing. Let's gather and be thankful together! And enjoy a fabulous meal. We thank the board for organizing this!

Decorating for Christmas - Plan on staying after church on Sunday, November 25 to help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. Advent starts December 2.

Rada Cutlery - Looking for Christmas gifts? Another order for Rada Cutlery will be sent in late November. Catalogs are available in the fellowship room. Orders can be placed starting this Sunday November 4 and through Sunday November 18. Talk to Leslie Quiggle if interested.

Looking Ahead:
Congregational Meeting - Plan on staying after church on Sunday, December 2 for a brief congregational meeting. Decisions about the church budget will be discussed. Everyone is encouraged to stay.

Save Your Change - Next collection of loose change for benevolence is Sunday December 30.

October 2018 at Caledonia Congregational Church

10/1/2018

Friends-
As many of you know, Jennifer is a fantastic cook. She is always on the hunt for a good recipe. Plus she already has a ton of recipes at her disposal. And I am always the willing guinea pig for her experiments because I have learned that they almost never fail!

I was thinking about the difference between those recipes and the actual meal that they produce. She could labor for hours to find the perfect recipe for a meal. Once she was completely satisfied, she could happily add it to her growing collection. But I wouldn't be happy. At least, not until she actually prepared it and served it to me! That's when the dream becomes reality. That is when I, at last, can appreciate those recipes.

That made me think that what I believe about Jesus won't really satisfy me either. I need an actual encounter. Knowing all about him, but never taking the step of faith required to encounter him and engage with him, will ultimately leave me disappointed. I need the real thing.

And so do you!

Never be satisfied with knowing about Jesus. Never be content with someone else's report of what an encounter with him is like. Have you own encounter! Every day! Take time to be alone with him, if only for a few minutes. You will not be disappointed!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8

Happy tasting!
Gary

October 2018 Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am

10/7 - Communion Sunday
   - Socktober Collection Kick off. (bring socks on the 14th and 21st)

10/21 - SocktoberFest Potluck - Church Basement, immediately following worship
                               service.

Wednesdays -Every Wednesday: Bible Study - 7 - 8:30 PM - Fellowship Room

Thursdays - 10/4 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
10/25 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - come to eat and/or serve.

Other News:
Thanks - Thanks to everyone who helped make the Village picnic a success. It could become an annual event!

Socktober - Help us fill our sock drawer!  Sisters in Spirit and Service are sponsoring a sock collection in the month of October. We are asking for your help! We will be collecting new pairs of adult socks. We need men's mostly but could use some women's as well. Our goal is to donate 50 pairs of socks to the Veterans Assistance Commission of Belvidere. Any extra pairs will be donated to the 2018 Veteran's Stand Down in Rockford on October 26. On October 7 you will receive a special bag to bring your donation back on October 14 or 21. We are going to ask the village to help as well. We will be taking the same bags around to the village homes on October 7 and then go back October 21 to gather their bags. If you would like to help take the bags around, talk to Judy Murphy.

Socktoberfest Potluck - We want to celebrate our Socktober with a meal, a Socktoberfest!  Plan on staying after church on October 21 for a Socktoberfest potluck. Bring a dish or two to share with everyone. Bring your favorite Oktoberfest foods! More chicken is consumed at the official Munich Oktoberfest than sausages! So maybe bring some chicken! Or sausages, or sauerkraut, or red cabbage, or soft pretzels! How about some German chocolate cake? Or bring your favorite potluck food. Just plan on coming!

Rada Cutlery - Another order for Rada Cutlery will be sent in November. Think about Christmas gifts! Talk to Leslie Quiggle if interested.

Save Your Change - Next collection of loose change for benevolence is December 30.