ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will hold a bake sale during sip-n-chat time on Sunday, November 29.  Proceeds from their sale will be donated to Mennonite Economic Development Associates, a church wide organization that invests in and supports business development among poor families around the world.  One current major project, the "Afghanistan Challenge", uses our financial support to provide microloans to Afghani women to start or grow businesses as farmers, tailors, carpet weavers and bakers.  MEDA hopes to provide financing to 1000 women farmers and 9000 women micro-entrepreneurs with this project.  The indirect benefits from the increased access to capital has the potential to impact 50,000 Afghans who are either business partners, employees, customers or family members of the client who receives the loan.  Our donations of $75 will be matched by US Agency for International Development, making it possible for microloans of about $150 to be provided to each woman entrepreneur to improve her business and the well-being of her family.

Next Sunday , Nov. 29^th, is the first Sunday of Advent, a season of waiting for and welcoming God’s presence among us. Our worship theme this year is “Lift Your Head in Wonder”. Our text for next Sunday is Luke 21:35-36. We invite you to spend time reflecting on this text and praying in preparation for this special season of worship.

Worship Commission has placed a Songs Suggestion Box in the foyer during the month of November. Feel free to request your favorite hymns or music for meditation or congregational singing. Thank you!

Parents, would you like a daily devotional to use with your children during Advent? Beginning Nov. 29 and ending Jan. 9,  a step-by-step outline for family worship and activities with suggestions suitable for all ages is available for free at the Central Plains web site: www.centralplainsmc.org . 

THANKS to the many people of all ages who have assisted with the Free Lunch program.  This past week we served 150 giant baked potatoes that had been grown by Laura Krouse and were scrubbed clean by Kids Who Care.  Cooks for this month switched from providing tuna casseroles to chili as a topping for the potatoes.  Earlier this year the MYF youth prepared all the tuna casseroles needed for one meal.

Bob and Mag will be in Indiana from Wednesday to Saturday, celebrating with family there.

Please have Dec. calendar items and all bulletins items to the church office by Tuesday morning, Nov. 24^th.

 Correction to the Church Directory:

Todd and Marcia Widmer - 354-8468

FMC Calendar Upcoming Events

Dec. 13 Children’s’ Christmas Program 4 PM
Dec. 20 Annual Christmas Breakfast 8:30 AM
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Worship 7 PM

CONFERENCE AND COMMUNITY NEWS

If you like cookies then you are invited to Come to the Table at Crooked Creek Christian Camp on December 5, 2009 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Join us in the kitchen and enjoy several baking and decorating demonstrations. All who attend are asked to bring 2 dozen cookies so we can have a cookie swap and take home an assortment of tasty treats and new recipes to try. The cost is $16 per person, but if you get a group of 5 or more together, enjoy a discount of only $13 per person. Register in advance by calling us at (319) 653-3611 or online at www.crookedcreekcamp.org .

Jubilance Children's Choir , a community choir directed by Rhonda Miller, will be giving a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 4 PM at Kalona Mennonite Church.

Greetings to you from  “Iglesia Centro Cristiano”,  

Washington, IA  : Our congregation has a good mix of nationalities: Texas,  Mexico, Honduras, Columbia, and El Salvador. Our small congregation on a given Sunday is made up of about 25 people.  Most of them have been Christians in their country of origin, and have come to this country for a better life, to fulfill their dreams. But like a lot of people in this country, many are losing their jobs and their dreams. They are finding it difficult pay their rent and have a meal on their table.  Many realize they need to hide or keep a low profile, because of their fear of been captured and returned to their country of origin. We cannot ignore the uncertainty, the sadness and the powerlessness they are feeling.   We visit with them, pray and read scripture and try to give them hope.  Please join us in prayer. Martha and Ramiro Hernández,

IMS NEWS

 BRING YOUR CHILD TO A FUN-FILLED DAY AT IMS! SUPER SATURDAY will be held on December 5, 9:00-2:00.  The cost is $20 for the first child and $10 for siblings.  IMS students will provide activities for children in preschool-5^th grade and daycare for infants.   Bring a sack lunch for each child.   The children will have fun and you get the day off!  Call IMS to register for Super Saturday at 319-656-2073.

All are invited to the annual Christmas Concert at IMS on Sunday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m.  In addition to a variety of Christmas sounds in Celebration Hall , there will be music in the lobby prior to and following the program.  The entire music department -- Chorale, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Chamber Singers, and Symphonic Band -- will be involved, under the direction of Karenza Yoder.  There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be received with much appreciation.  Refreshments will also be served following the concert, compliments of the IMS Music Boosters .