EAST UNION MENNONITE CHURCH

Kalona, Iowa

Jay Miiller, Pastor

Elders: Ed Yoder, Norman Schrock, Charlene Rhodes, Keith Dickel

9:15 a.m.           Prelude

9:30 a.m.           Worship

Gathering/Call to Worship – back of bulletin

Singing

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 60:1-6

First Fruits Offering

Children’s Time

New Testament Reading – Matthew 2:1-12

Special Music – “The Star”

Devotional & Communion

Songs of Response

Sharing/Prayer
Parting Song:

Sending – (SJ 67) “Let There Be Light, Lord God”
Announcements/Dismissal

10:45 a.m. Sunday School

Nursery Attendants during the worship service are:  Wanda Yoder, Evelyn Charles

Next Sunday: Sarah Yoder, Gretchen Geyer

The nursery is open for any children up to five years of age.  Please feel free to bring children in before the service starts or at any time during the service.

Pleasantview Resident:  Marilyn Yutzy

Recuperating: Clarabelle Schlabaugh, Jeanette Yoder

Special Concerns: Peggy Blosser, Chris Charles, Menno Helmuth, Judy Yoder

Global Concerns

From Mission Network: Please pray that MNMN workers Lillian & Norm Nicolson will be prepared mentally, emotionally & Spiritually for their return to Burkina Faso tomorrow. 

Because of worshiping together was canceled a couple weeks ago, Sonia and I wanted to reiterate our Christmas greeting and thank the congregation for your appreciation of us, your prayers, and kind words through October and this Christmas season.  You bless us in many ways and I hope my ministry and family is a blessing to you too.  A Christmas blessing:  God uses you to bless others and God maintains a full cup of blessing and joy within you all.  The cup overflows and God’s love pours over to your family, friends, and acquaintances.  As Jesus is God’s gift of salvation to us so you are God’s gift of healing and hope back to the world and to Sonia and myself.  East Union has been a light to us reflecting God’s love to others.  The Light of Christ is within you and the Holy Spirit leads you toward ministry and discovery.  Merry Christmas and God’s peace and joy on the New Year
            Pastor Jay and Sonia
 
Thank you for the cards, visits & telephone calls to our mother and grandmother during her illness.  We also thank you for the food, flowers, cards, & memorials at the time of her death.
            The Mildred Zook family
 
The Worship Committee wishes to say a special thank you to all who participated in the Advent and Christmas Eve services.
 
To the Children of East Union: Please help yourselves to the copper spirals on the Christmas tree in the lobby.  Enjoy them for years to come.  Worship Committee
 
The IMS senior class will serve the annual Chili Supper on Saturday, January 26 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available from any senior:  $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 5-12, and children four and under are free. There is also babysitting available in the chapel.
 
A fund has been established for Jay, Kristy and Gibson (age 5) Lowenberg who had an extensive house fire on December 23.  Checks may be made out to Jay Lowenberg Family Benefit Fund and left at Hills Bank, Kalona.  If you have any questions, please contact Cal or Shirley Hochstedler, 656-2005.
 
Hey kids, Crooked Creek needs your help! For the month of January, we are doing a fundraiser to raise money to purchase more canoes and kayaks. For every $350 you raise, we can purchase one canoe! Look for the “Coins for Camp” calendar and save your change to give to Crooked Creek. See your camp representative for more information.

Sunday School Offerings for December:

• Dec. 2 - $43.75

• Dec. 9 - $71.20

• Dec. 16 - $103.64

• Dec. 23 – no Sunday school

• Dec. 30 - $160.45

Mennonite Hymn: I Sing with Exultation, text by Felix Manz.  Felix was one of the young university students who was active in the disputations in Zurich during the Reformation.  He, Conrad Grebel, and George Blaurock were in the first baptism on Oct. 21, 1525 of the Swiss Brethren.  Felix was arrested on several occasions, and on Jan. 5, 1527 was sentenced to death for his faith and refusing to stop his witness for Christ.  As he was drowned in the Limmant River/Lake Zurich he praise Christ and was encouraged by his mother and friends to not give up his faith.  This hymn text is his only extant writing.  He died at age 27.   His final words were – “Into Thy hand, Lord, I commend my spirit.” -- Harold Blosser

Winter Fest has been expanded! For the weekend of January 25-27, Crooked Creek invites all youth in grades 6-10 to join us for Winter Fest. The speaker for the weekend is Luke Leichty and the IMS Praise Band will be leading worship. You won’t want to miss this!! Early registration has been extended to January 14. See your youth sponsor for registration information or contact Crooked Creek by calling 319.653.3611 or emailing us at ccccamp@lisco.com.

Parenting Class:  Would you like to feel more confident as a parent?  Would you like to have more fun parenting?  Would you like to feel more relaxed at the end of the day?  If so, plan to attend the “Parenting with Love & Logic” class at Wellman Mennonite Church on Thursdays beginning January 24^th and running through March 6^th (excluding Feb. 14^th).  The class will be taught by Steve Hollan, Linda Huber & Amy Shalla and will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m.   This course in parenting is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately!  The class is FREE!  A FREE meal will be served prior to the class and FREE childcare will be provided during the class.  Registration is required and is limited to 20 families.  To register, call Wellman Mennonite Church (646-2532) by January 18^th.  The class and meal are made possible by a grant from Washington County Empowerment.   

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS -  Starts on Wednesday, January 16th.  It is a 13 week class and will meet every Wednesday night at Kalona Mennonite church.  Contact Ryan Miller at 319-530-2696 as soon as possible to order books or if you have any further questions.

Upcoming activities at Pleasantview Home in January:

January 8                   In Remembrance: A Candle Lighting Service

January 20                 Phyllis Litwiller Retirement Open House

 In addition to special events, Pleasantview offers a number of regularly scheduled activities such as Chapel, Bible Study, Mass, Coffee Hour, and Men’s Recreation.  Stop by Pleasantview for more information.

Upcoming Events: Feb. 6 – Annual Business Meeting

Attendance Last Sunday: Morning Service – 175       Sunday School – 111 

Tuesday, January 8

• Mennonite Women will meet with Nita Miller as our devotional leader. It will be a soup & sandwich lunch, so if you are planning to attend bring a couple sandwiches to share and the soup will be provided. The project for the month of January is an offering for orphans of AIDS.  Only $9 provides an orphan food for 1 month, while $19 provides clothing for 1 year.  There will be a designated box under the mail boxes for all donations towards this project. We are asking you as a congregation to please find it in your heart to share a little with orphans that are destined to a life of suffering. Thank-you

Thursday, January 10

• Worship Committee will meet at the church at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, January 12

• Promise Keepers at East Union – 7:00 a.m.

Next Sunday, January 13

• Noon:  MYF Philly Cheese steak sandwiches, salad and dessert bar fundraiser meal at Kalona Mennonite Church.  Freewill offering will be taken with proceeds going toward expenses of the next youth convention.

• Martha Hernandez will be licensed for ministry at Washington Mennonite Church at 2:00 pm.   Martha was affirmed for licensing by the Pastoral Leadership Committee of our conference.  She is involved with church planting work among Hispanic people in Iowa City and Washington along with her husband Ramiro.   She is active in preaching and leads Bible studies for women.  Martha is also very active with the MC USA Hispanic Women’s organization.  You are invited to this service of licensing.