Newsweekly for Sunday, October 28, 2018

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Worship this Sunday, October 28, 2018

Theme: Lessons from Jesus: Blindness and Vision

Worship Leader: Mike Brislen

Song Leader: Matthew Hunsberger

Scripture Reader: Lois Kauffman & Bill White, Luisa Miller

Children’s Time: Dayna Olson-Getty

Preacher: Jennifer Davis Sensenig

Prelude/Offertory: Erika Metzler Sawin

Pastoral Prayer: Dayna Olson-Getty

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52; Hebrews 7:23-28; Jeremiah 31:7-9

Bulletin:  102818-Bulletin.docx

 

Upcoming CMC Events

Fri, Oct 26            CMC Office Closed

Wed, Oct 31       Kids’ Club, 6 pm, basement

Sun, Nov 4          Monthly Potluck, 11:45 am, Fellowship Hall

 

CMC Events and Announcements

Gifts Discernment Survey. The Gifts Discernment Committee of CMC is asking you to take a few minutes to complete a Gifts Discernment Survey. The intention of the survey is to identify ways CMCers of all ages are willing to use their gifts within the life of the church. Just because you indicate that you are interested in doing something on the survey does not sign you up for doing that thing, nor does it ensure that you will be asked right away. If you are interested in getting involved with the work of a Church Commission now, we encourage you to seek out the chair of that commission. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Brendon Derstine or another member of the Gifts Discernment Committee: Elaine Stoltzfus or Kelly McDonald. Please take a few minutes to complete the Gifts Discernment Survey by clicking this link.

Wellbeing for Minds and Hearts. Personally, and as supportive friends and family, many of us make our life journey navigating various mental health concerns.  This 8-week adult education series (Sundays in Oct and Nov) will include a variety of presenters–CMCers who are mental health professionals as well as other guests–who will share about their work, local services, and ways that congregations can reduce stigma and respond as the caring community Christ calls us to be.  Join us for a diverse series and a concluding session about next steps for our congregation. Facilitated by Pastoral Team.

CMC Women's Bible Study Resumes. Please join us Wednesday mornings 8:30-9:45 am from Oct 31-Dec 5.  Pastor Jennifer will lead us as we focus on scriptures from the previous Sunday's worship service, enjoy coffee/tea, and share in conversation and prayer.  Feel free to invite a friend.  Childcare will be provided.

Help Wanted – Childcare. We are looking for two people to provide childcare during the women's Bible study each Wednesday morning from 8:30-9:45 am. This is a paid position at $15/hour. Please contact the church office at 540-433-2148 or cmc_office@cmcva.org if you are interested.

Faith Allies. CMC is a part of a local advocacy group called "Faith Allies" which supports our immigrant neighbors. On November 4, a TPS bus will arrive here at CMC.  These folks are from countries at risk of losing their temporary protective status (TPS). They have been traveling the country educating communities about TPS, and we are the last stop before they head to Washington D.C.  We are looking for host homes for 15-20 bus riders.  All that's needed is a bed, breakfast and a warm welcome for the nights of November 4 and 5. Please contact Tina Beachy (tbeachy530@gmail.com) if you are willing to host one or more folks from this bus.

CMC Lost and Found Items: The Lost and Found cupboard below the church mailboxes in the Fellowship Hall is full! Next week all lost and found items will be discarded (smelly shoes left from retreat) or taken to Gift and Thrift (including a turquoise North face windbreaker jacket and a women's Jones New York black hooded jacket). Please take a look before it’s too late!!

Harmonia Sacra Sing. Come to the ninth annual Community Mennonite Church Harmonia Sacra Sing, always the first Sunday in November (November 4 this year) at 7 p.m. Our local shaped-note hymnal was first published in 1832 and has been in regular use more or less since then. Bring your own copy, or borrow one at the sing. Lead whatever song you’d like, or think of some you’d like to request. For more information, ask Jeremy Nafziger (JFNafziger@gmail.com).

Bryan Moyer Suderman Concert–Songs of Faith for Small and Tall. Come sing along with Bryan Moyer Suderman, singer and storyteller, on Saturday, November 10 at 6:30 pm in the CMC sanctuary. Proceeds to benefit the CMC Kids' Club. $10 suggested donation. Invite your friends and family!

Bridges Community Gathering. Everyone is invited to the next Bridges Community Gathering on Sunday, November 11 at CMC from 4-8 pm. Bring a favorite dish to share (no pork please) and your own tableware if possible. At this interfaith, intercultural gathering, there will be Latino and Kurdish music/ dances and a potluck meal. Come join in the spirit of building bridges of connection and hospitality. All are welcome!  Facebook link: fb.me/bridges.friendlycity.

Food for Kids’ Club. Thank you so much to all of the small groups who have signed up to bring food to Kids’ Club so far! We are still in need of more Wednesday meals (a simple meal for approximately 15-20 children). If it works for your small group or your family to do this, below are some of the dates needed. Please email Hannah Hall, hannahdmhall@gmail.com if there’s a date that works for you. Dates needed are: October 31, November 14, and December 12.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Please find a way to celebrate and encourage our pastors as they continue to work and pray for our congregation.  –Aili Huber, Council Chair

Getting Engaged? CMC pastors are all trained to guide couples in a series of premarital counseling sessions using Prepare-Enrich, an excellent resource for couples.  There is a $35 fee for the materials, but the counseling sessions are free for regular attenders and members of CMC.  As a congregation we are part of a city-wide effort to encourage premarital counseling, so our pastors officiate at weddings only when couples have taken the preparatory step of premarital counseling.  We recommend premarital counseling for about 6 sessions, beginning 4-5 months before the wedding.  Thinking of getting engaged?  Talk to one of your pastors.  –Pastoral Team

Mindful Eating. Is your relationship with food/body holding you back from living life to its fullest?  You are invited to join a Mindful Eating support group that will be meeting this fall on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 5:30-6:30pm at CMC in Room 203.  Come journey with us as we explore what freedom with food can look like.  Contacts: Adrienne Griggs and Heather Harris

YOU'RE INVITED; PLEASE RSVP – A new space and some new faces await your perspicacious glazed (oooooh . . . donuts!) gaze with a new double-poster photo collage on display on the "CMC Today" bulletin board on the south wall of the fellowship hall. See this wondrous whirl of activities from our September worship series on the "You're Invited" theme, new members welcomed and a bevy of bodacious CMCers workin' hard for the money at the 52nd annual Virginia Mennonite (Oh, What a) Relief Sale it is!  –Jim Bishop

RETREAT TO THE FRONT – While wondering as you wander around the fellowship hall, check out the double-poster collage of CMC's annual retreat held Sept. 14-16 at Brethren Woods on the theme, "Sabbath Soul Tending."  It's on the "CMC: Yesterday" bulletin board on the east wall of the fellowship hall, y'all!       –Jim Bishop

Learning Tour: Mountain Valley Pipeline. Saturday, Nov. 10 from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: Sunday, November 4. Join this all-day trip to Franklin County, Virginia (south of Roanoke) to see construction of this natural gas pipeline on its path through farms, wetlands, streams, rural neighborhoods, and mountain terrain. Meet landowners and pipeline resisters to learn from them. Facilitated by Mary Jo Bowman, Franklin County native and Mountain Valley Watch volunteer. Sponsored by the CMC Green Congregation Committee. Vans to borrow are needed for this trip. If you would like to participate or for more info, contact Mary Jo Bowman, 540-383-7792, bowbro@juno.com or Brian Martin Burkholder, 540-746-6419, brian.burkholder@emu.edu .

Greening CMC : Speaking Out.  A majority of Americans across the political spectrum favor policies that improve our air quality, such as setting stricter standards related to natural gas extraction.  In fact, stricter regulations have led to a halving of deaths related to air pollution over the last two decades.  A new EPA proposal would reverse these methane standards.  Ask the EPA to keep the effective and popular methane standards in place.

New source for local news: hburgcitizen.comA new online newspaper has begun reporting on local Harrisonburg/Rockingham County news, with a new story published each weekday.   Two recent stories were devoted to the Citizens’ Community Justice Board meeting, which featured Faith in Action and which many CMCers attended.  In addition, a number of stories have focused on the upcoming local elections, decisions by the City Council and Board of Supervisors, and local issues like recycling and the scooters that have appeared throughout the downtown area.

Announcements from Virginia Mennonite Conference, Harrisonburg area and beyond

A plea from Marie Bradley, Administrative Director of Family Life Resource Center: Upon inspection of FLRC's heating units, it was discovered our chimney had collapsed leaving no venting for the carbon monoxide from our boiler unit that we use for heat. The cost of this repair was astronomical and includes a 20 year plus boiler heating system that could go any day.  It was strongly suggested by multiple contractors that we replace the unit. The main building currently has NO heat until we get this repaired. The estimated cost of this is $16,500. Would you be willing to help us have heat? You can donate at flrc.org or call the agency at 540-434-8450 and our receptionist will take your donation over the phone. If you would like to pay by check please mail to FLRC, 273 Newman Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. No amount is too small!

Friends of Early Church, our community is turning 10! We would like to invite those who have walked with us over the years, as well as those who would like a chance to connect with Early Church, to celebrate our anniversary with us!  Join us for food, music, stories, sharing memories, and general joviality celebrating God's goodness among us.  We'll meet at the Hershberger barn (5749 Wengers Mill Road, Linville, VA) from 3-6 pm on Sunday, October 28th.  Please RSVP at www.earlychurchva.org or just show up!

Come join friends of Highland Retreat at the Annual Highland Banquet on Thursday, November 1 from 6-8:15pm in Lindale Mennonite’s fellowship hall. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a program updating you on Highland’s last year, addressing the relevance of Christian camping, and presenting a vision for the next decade. Child care (with pizza dinner) is available for children ages 4 and up. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Highland. For more information, or to register to attend, visit www.highlandretreat.org, call 540-705-0554, or e-mail info@highlandretreat.org

You are invited to a dinner to raise awareness and support for the Ethiopian Meserete Kristos (Mennonite) College on Friday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Lindale Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. RSVP to Peg Engle, englepj90@gmail.com or 540-433-9889 by Oct. 22 with your choice of Ethiopian or American menu.

Self-Care for Women Workshop by Soulence. These times require deep listening and attention. At this workshop/retreat, spend four intentional hours exploring deep practices of self-care that can be applied to everyday life. The day will include yoga, art for daily ritual, a fire ritual, silent time to reflect, and optional one-on-one spiritual direction. Friday, November 2 from 10 am-2 pm; $25/person. More information at www.soulence.space.

The annual Locavore Fundraiser tradition continues this year as a dinner. Join us on November 3, 2018, 5:30 p.m. at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church to support and celebrate the work of Bridge of Hope Harrisonburg-Rockingham. The dinner theme this year is Neighborhood “The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14, the Message) This year’s featured speaker is Melody M. Pannell, local board member and social work professor at Eastern Mennonite University. The event will include locally-sourced food, deliciously prepared by A Bowl of Good, both a silent and live auction, and hearing from a Bridge of Hope recent program participant. Ticket price is $40/person or $300 per table of eight. For tickets and/or Facebook event info please visit the website at: https://hr.bridgeofhopeinc.org/get-involved/events/annual-locavore-fundraising-event/

Festival of Praise, an annual a cappella concert of men's singing groups, and a finale of combined voices, will be Sunday, November 4, 4:00 p.m. at Eastern Mennonite School's Auditorium, 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg. An offering will benefit Virginia Mennonite Missions. For more information, contact: (540) 434-9727 or info@vmmissions.org

You are invited to join Shekinah (female vocal ensemble) on Sunday, November 4 at 5 pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Harrisonburg, for Choral Evensong, a short contemplative service of sung prayers celebrating the Feast of the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed.

Join in celebrating with Mennonite Hispanic Initiative at its 10th Anniversary Reception, Friday, November 9, 7:00 p.m. at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. This free celebration will note the beginnings and achievements of MHI's mission in the last decade, and also note the significant transitions as Marvin Lorenzana steps down from his role as MHI Director and as the ministries of MHI become situated under different programs. Please confirm your attendance by emailing lizzette.hernandez@vmmissions.org by November 2.

Renowned New Testament scholar N. T. Wright will present at a variety of venues in Harrisonburg on November 13 and 14. A listing of these events is available at http://virginiaconference.org/news/nt-wright-fall-event/.

Join the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center on Sunday, November 18 at 7:00 PM at Ridgeway Mennonite Church for a "History of Hymnody" singing event with Nancy Faus Mullen. The focus is some history of hymnody within Mennonite and Brethren traditions, with an analysis of how that history informs where we are with music in worship at present. Rev. Nancy Faus-Mullen, musician and professor emeritus of worship at Bethany Theological Seminary will lead us in singing examples from different moments throughout that history. A freewill offering will support the mission and vision of the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center.

Equipping Seminars at MennoCon19. Do you have a great idea for an Equipping Seminar at MennoCon19 (MC USA convention)? Convention planners are eager to hear it! Find the selection criteria and submit your proposal by November 5 at mennoniteusa.org/seminars.

EMU Alumni and Friends trip to Cuba. Cuba is a country like no other –  World Heritage sites, beautiful beaches, old cars, intriguing politics and resilient, friendly people.   Yet, many U.S. citizens have not had the chance to visit Cuba due to the 56-year embargo. During this trip you will have the opportunity to experience lectures by Cuban experts, visits to health and education programs, a home stay and yes, a few group reflection times.  Most of all, you will experience Cuba’s rich heritage of music, dance and art and warm hospitality. Dates: March 21-30, 2019 Leaders: Nathan and Elaine Zook Barge, veteran Guatemala/Cuba cross-cultural leaders (540) 421-4526

MDS Volunteers Needed.  Groups and individuals who want to volunteer should sign up on the MDS website at https://mds.mennonite.net/hurricane-response-volunteer-registration-form/ , or go to the MDS homepage www.mds.mennonite.net and click the blue volunteer button. You may also call 1-800-241-8111 and choose option ‘1’ for weekly volunteers. Questions? Contact CMCers Joe Yoder (540-820-1973) or Sam Miller (540-432-9262).

MennoMedia needs your help to make the new Voices Together hymnal a reality by Fall 2020. Before any copies of Voices Together are sold, MennoMedia will invest more than $700,000. Everence and Mennonite Central Committee U.S. have issued a matching grant challenge of up to $100,000 to help MennoMedia in this final fund-raising effort. Help ensure that Voices Together will be affordably priced for congregations. Make a gift today and have it doubled! Give at VoicesTogetherHymnal.org. Every voice matters. Every dollar counts.

A century ago, war fever swept the United States. Mennonites and other people of peace were unprepared and paid the price. What if war fever swept the United States today? Are we again prepared? How would we live out our non-resistance or pacifism?  How would we witness for peace? The Voices of Conscience exhibit will be open on the main (2nd) floor Eastern Mennonite University’s Hartzler Library during regular library hours from October 1 – November 17. This traveling exhibit, created by the Kaufmann Museum in Newton, Kansas, remembers the witness of peace-minded people against the First World War 1914-1918.

 

 

 

 

Community Mennonite Church
70 South High Street Harrisonburg, VA
office@cmcva.org
540-433-2148