Announcements
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December 1 - 9, 2023
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
The Mission Team would like to thank all those who brought non-perishable items to church the last two Sundays for Open Heartland. It was good to see the items piling up in front of the Sanctuary. We collected 216 lbs. of food and 46 lbs. of diapers for a total of 262 lbs. The generosity of those attending FMC is overwhelming. The Mission Team enjoys the challenge of offering rewarding sources for your generosity. One Iowa, our designated Advent Giving project, works with training healthcare providers, law enforcement, business leaders, and others to ensure LGBTQ Iowans are respected in every facet and stage of their lives; and promotes policies within state and local government that protect the civil rights, health, and safety of LGBTQ Iowans. (See the thermometer poster on the Mission bulletin board). – Mission Team Jr. MYF will be participating in a silent auction and game night at West Union on Thursday, December 7 from 6 - 8 PM. All are invited to participate, parents too! Additional information is forthcoming, or you may contact Angie Lamb at lambangie4@gmail.com for details. First Mennonite partners with East Union, West Union, Washington Mennonite, and Wellman Mennonite churches to provide Jr. MYF programming for youth in 6-8 grade. FMCLCF, Sunday, Dec 10, 11 AM, Fellowship Hall: In the interest of offering everyone an opportunity to hear and be heard, all who are interested are invited to a First Mennonite Church Leadership Council Forum. During this session, the decision by the Leadership Council to hire a Transitional Interim Pastor next year will be reviewed and discussed. Your questions and concerns will be heard and addressed by members of the Leadership Council. All are welcome. Christmas Breakfast will be held December 17 from 8:15-9 AM. Please bring your favorite breakfast casserole, breakfast breads, or fruit ready to serve. Table service and drinks will be provided but you are always welcome to bring your own table service. We would love to see you there! Late fall/winter doldrums leaving you stagnant? Looking for a place to connect with others through playing board games, card games, or just chatting? Come to the Fellowship Hall any Tuesday Night, 5:30-7:30 PM, December through February for intergenerational fun and fellowship. It's an informal time of being together, (with maybe a wee bit of competition included). Bring finger foods if you'd like to eat supper and bring games for all ages. Coffee/Tea/Water will be provided. See Alisa Kandel with any questions. An Invitation to Advent Devotional Reading Circle: I have extra free copies of Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas by Ron Rolheiser, OMI (Liguori, 2005). At the end of the season, all participants will be warmly invited to Shuji's house for an occasion of celebration and sharing of their reading experiences and formation, on Jan. 6 (Sat.), 2024, 9 -10 AM. If interested, please contact Shuji Moriichi. The 2023 Advent at Home worship guide is now available from Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). Taken from Leader magazine’s theme, How will we know? the worship guide accompanies individuals and families through the days and weeks of Advent through Epiphany with scriptures, prayers, worship rituals, suggested activities, and contextual information. It is intended for all ages and life stages to deepen the experience of the season. The guide is available for free download in English and Spanish for all congregations, individuals, and families. Printed copies are available on the Sip & Chat area table. COMMUNITY & CONFERENCE NEWS Volunteer today for someone’s relief tomorrow. Southeast Iowa MCC Meat Canning is coming to the Kalona Maintenance Building, 717 A Ave., Kalona, Dec. 6, 7, 8. Sign-up at this link. Or contact Sylvan Schlabach (319-461-3417). You may sign up for as many different ROUNDS (1-10) spots as you like. In each ROUND, choose Canning or Washing for your time slot. You are invited to West Union Mennonite Church for Cocoa and Carols on December 17 at 5:30 PM. Along with the singing of favorite Christmas carols, you'll be inspired by the story of The Shoemaker's Dream. Hot drinks and Christmas goodies will be served during the fellowship time afterwards. From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:
From Hillcrest Academy:
From Pleasantview:
From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):
From Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA):
From other Mennonite Organizations:
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Birthdays (Dec. 1 - 8)
Saturday Linda Yutzy Sunday Michael Darby Monday Angie Lamb Tuesday Kit Rochford Thursday Melinda Bricker, Nick Rochford Events for the coming week
(Dec. 3 - 10) December 5: 7 PM Missions team meeting December 6: 7 PM Worship Planning team meeting December 9: 10:30 AM Ichthus class celebration in the Fellowship Hall December 10, Advent 2: 9:30 AM Worship, Terry Zimmerly, proclaimer 10:45 AM Christian Formation hour; children practicing in the sanctuary 11 AM FMC Church Leadership Council Forum in fellowship hall All Church Putt Putt Golf Outing, September 2023
PRIDE parade & Festival 2023
LIBRARY
See WHAT'S NEW in the LIBRARY for Spring/Summer 2022-23. (Click Spring/Summer above) or LIBRARY under the WELCOME tab. Search the FMC library catalog HERE. (No password required) Images from Virtual Services 2020 - 2021
Photos from our annual All Church Retreat at Crooked Creek Christian Camp,
Oct. 11-12, 2019. 
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