We will be celebrating communion together Sunday, Oct. 4, during our worship service. Please take time to reflect on the meaning of communion and come ready to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus has made for us. 

Swiss Village Residents: For members of First Mennonite living at Swiss Village who wish to participate in communion next Sunday, the elements will be available at the front desk the day before communion.

Rehearsals for Handel's Messiah begin Tuesday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m., and continue weekly through Tuesday, December 1. All singers are invited to join the choir for the presentations on Saturday evening, December 5 and Sunday afternoon, December 6.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Let’s thank our wonderful pastoral staff by showering them with cards, gift cards, notes of encouragement, or anything else you would like to do to thank them for all they do to bless our congregation! You may even want to give a Bible in a pastor’s honor through Gideons International. Cards and gift cards may be dropped off in the Spiritual Guidance Cabinet mailbox by the church office. The cards will be divided up by the SGC and distributed to the staff.

Calling all third, fourth, and fifth graders—Junior Quizzing is about to start! This year we’ll be studying Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. Come to learn and memorize God’s Word, build friendships, and have lots of fun! Please sign up in the patio. If you have questions, contact Jenny Dubach at (260) 849- 2342. 

The shoeboxes are coming! You can make Christmas special for children around the globe who don’t know the love of Jesus. Shoeboxes and directions for filling them will be available in the patio Sunday, October 11.  Filled boxes should be returned to Room 9 (by the kitchen) by Sunday, November 22. Our goal is 200 shoeboxes this year.

With the addition of the check-in stations for the kids department, we are looking for new “safety monitors” to sit at the check-in desk throughout Sunday School and church to assist with the check-in and monitor the patio/bathrooms. If this is something you would consider, please contact the church office, Chris, or Josie to schedule training.

Youth will be having a Fall Campout at Fellowship Point starting 5:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. There will be games, fishing, food, and more! If you don’t have camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc.) you can still come, but if you do, please bring it with you. Sign up in the youth room if you’d like to go.

Although Mission Festival is less than a month away, we want to give you a heads-up on the traditional food drive for our local Compassionate Ministries. This is a way we can bless our local community for those in need. Please purchase personal-size cans, opposed to the institutional size. Tables will be on the patio beginning Sunday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, November 8 for the collection of those items. Thank you for your generosity. 

Don’t fight the battle against sexual sin and pornography alone. Join Fight Club for accountability and encouragement. We are getting ready to start a new round of lessons. Contact the church office or John Stauffer to learn more.

Gather, Grow, and Worship together on Wednesday nights. The following options are being offered. 

Chapel: Bible Study

Band of Brothers: “Biblical Manhood: God’s purpose, plan, and power for His sons”. This year Band of Brothers will journey through the biblical record, not only to understand the Bible’s content, but also to help equip men to walk in faith, lead with strength, and live out God’s design for their daily lives. Room 13

She Shares: This is a group of women who enjoy a simple reading of Bible passages and informally discussing our observations. The focus for the group this year will be the Holy Spirit. Join us as we get to know the Spirit better by exploring verses from Genesis to Revelation. Along with discovering insights from God’s Word, we share each other’s burdens and lift one another up in prayer. Room 15

Youth: The Youth Room opens at 6:30 for grades 6-12.

KIDS: Gym open for kids and background-checked volunteers from 6:15-6:45. Kids classes start at 6:45. If kids arrive after 6:45, please take them to room 7. Kids will be picked up in the patio at 8 pm.

JAM choir - for kids in 2nd-5th grade at 6:15 in room 7.

A trip is being planned for a group to go to Asheville, North Carolina from December 13th through 19th to work with Mennonite Disaster Service in rebuilding after hurricane Helene which took place Sept. 2024. If interested, please contact Bill Beachey at 849-0426.

The first session of DTS is Sunday, September 20, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the patio area by the kitchen. Bring a pencil or pen and a notebook to take notes.

The Spiritual Guidance Cabinet would like to offer prayer for healing as well as anointing with oil to anyone struggling with health issues. James 5:14-15. Please contact Darin Ringger at (260) 820-0191.

Contribute to the needs of our community by participating in Project Share. You can place your donations on the table in the foyer or in the box inside the east entrance of the church.  Suggestions for each month are listed below, but all donations are appreciated.

• January - Cereal & Baby Food
• February - Monetary Donations
• March - Vegetables
• April - Boxed/Pouched Side Dishes
• May - Cake, Brownie, Muffin Mixes
• June - Paper Products
• July - Personal Hygiene Products
• August - Feminine Hygiene Products
• September - Canned Meat
• October - Soups
• November - Pasta
• December - Beans

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