Our Life Together in the Church

Friday, November 6, 2009

November 8, 2009

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Nov. 14 Women’s Tea
The Sleep Out 2009

IOCP News

The challenge in maintaining FoodShelf inventory is unprecedented. Basic products are either unavailable or unaffordable at the food bank. More families are using the FoodShelf more frequently and there are 30-40 new families every month needing help.

We expect 450 families to register for the Adopt A Family program this year. Your support and participation are needed more than ever in the weeks to come.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the FoodShelf, to sponsor a family, and to help December 11,12, and 13th during the Adopt A Family weekend. Please call 952-475-2436 to be a sponsor, to volunteer, or for information or go to pccc.pbworks.com/IOCP.

SHARING THE BOUNTY----------

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners will distribute 100,000 pounds of food during the holiday season. We can meet the challenge with your help. Please consider donating early in November or December ---several thousand bags will be prepared for each of the holiday distributions!

Appetizers, potatoes, cheese, sausage, crackers, cake mix, nuts, bread, butter or margarine, rolls, stuffing mix, frosting mix, canned or fresh fruit, aluminum foil,
canned or fresh vegetables, plastic wrap, canned soup, foil, turkey pan, whipped cream mix, holiday napkins, pie crust mix, gift certificates for turkeys

This list can be found online at pccc.pbworks.com/Holiday-needs

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

November Mission Focus: The Sleep Out
December Mission Focus: Toys for Tots

PCCC’s This I Believe Essays

Based on the NPR “This I Believe” series
Check out thisibelieve.org if you want to learn more
We invite every person at Plymouth Creek to write a "This I Believe" essay regarding one aspect of your faith.

1)350-500 words,
2)Tell a story; make it personal,
3)Describe one thing about your faith, i.e. don't try to include everything.
4)Email them to pastor@plymouthcreek.org, or hand it to Pastor Shane, or send it via snail mail, or slide it under the office door.

Each week for the next year, we will put one or two of these in the weekly bulletin insert, so that we can learn from each other what's important about faith, and how to put that into words.

Every essay will be anonymous- so no one needs to feel self-conscious, competitive or worried about judgment. Only Pastor Shane will know who wrote the essay (or not, if you just slip it under his door!).

Oct 08, 2009

Associate General Minister and Vice President: Tough Times Are An Opportunity To Live Out What Christians Say They Believe

Embracing the spiritual discipline of stewardship in tough times means that Christians must live out what they say they believe, according to Associate General Minister and Vice President Todd Adams. Adams recently took part in an event for judicatory leaders as part of the Leadership Education program at Duke Divinity School. In an interview with “Faith & Leadership,” the program’s online magazine, Adams said the Church needs to monitor expenses, making sure to maximize every dollar that is entrusted to it. At the same time it must clearly relay the message that we serve an abundant God who has provided us with more than enough for what we need.

As part of his job, Adams is responsible for promotion and interpretation of the church’s common fund – Disciples Mission Fund - which involves the receipt and distribution of DMF with 72 ministry partners. He is also responsible for fundraising and promotion, which he sees as an opportunity. “We really need to articulate the message of hope, the good news that the church has to offer in the midst of all of this bad news that is going on around us,” said Adams. To view his interview, entitled “We serve a God of abundance,” visit:
www.faithandleadership.duke.edu/multimedia/todd-adams-we-serve-god-abundance

THIS I BELIEVE

The fog line. A few days ago I heard a traffic reporter on my favorite television news channel make a comment about work crews painting new fog lines. I realized he was referring to the solid white line that is marked along the right side of a roadway. It is there to guide drivers on the road in the darkness or the fog. All these years, and I never knew that was what it was called! This evening I was driving home -- in the dark -- and found myself glancing over at the fog line. I believe that our faith is much like that fog line. On the road of life when we are in darkness or our way is unclear, then our faith in God provides us with the guidance to keep us centered – just as the fog line centers us on the road we are traveling. As I reflect on my life travels thus far, I believe that I have been guided by God’s fog line on many occasions and I find comfort in knowing I can trust in my faith to direct my path.

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November 1, 2009

November 1, 2009 - All Saints Day

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Nov. 14 Women’s Tea
The Sleep Out 2009

CROP Walk 2009

Thanks to everyone’s support of CROPWALK we raised over $3,300 dollars as a congregation. We surpassed last year’s totals in terms of number of walkers (+1) and dollars raised (+700)! Special thanks to this year’s walkers: Mike B., Tabitha and Shane, Donna J., Steve L., Debbie L., Hillary P., Maya I., LeAnn V., Kimberly W., and Steve and Chana W.

IOCP News

The challenge in maintaining FoodShelf inventory is unprecedented. Basic products are either unavailable or unaffordable at the food bank. More families are using the FoodShelf more frequently and there are 30-40 new families every month needing help.

We expect 450 families to register for the Adopt A Family program this year. Your support and participation are needed more than ever in the weeks to come.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the FoodShelf, to sponsor a family, and to help December 11,12, and 13th during the Adopt A Family weekend. Please call 952-475-2436 to be a sponsor, to volunteer, or for information or go to pccc.pbworks.com/IOCP.

Thank you

Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of school supplies to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners.

Our BACK TO SCHOOL program has become an institution in the community – providing critical service to low-income families with children and a delightful opportunity for individuals and groups to support a worthwhile project. Some of our donors are preschoolers who’ve saved “allowance” and birthday money, then selected and delivered their donations themselves, seeing firsthand how this wonderful process works. What a simple and effective way to develop a lifelong habit of the heart!

Your support is genuinely appreciated. We couldn’t do it without you!

Sincerely,
LaDonna Hoy, Executive Director
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners

SHARING THE BOUNTY----------

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners will distribute 100,000 pounds of food during the holiday season. We can meet the challenge with your help. Please consider donating early in November or December ---several thousand bags will be prepared for each of the holiday distributions!

Appetizers, potatoes, cheese, sausage, crackers, cake mix, nuts, bread, butter or margarine, rolls, stuffing mix, frosting mix, canned or fresh fruit, aluminum foil,
canned or fresh vegetables, plastic wrap, canned soup, foil, turkey pan, whipped cream mix, holiday napkins, pie crust mix, gift certificates for turkeys

This list can be found online at pccc.pbworks.com/Holiday-needs

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

October Mission Focus: CROP Walk
November Mission Focus: The Sleep Out

Plymouth Creek Christian Church will once again be hosting a sleep out to support IOCP’s efforts to combat homelessness in our area.

We will be sleeping out on November 14th.

We will again gather on the north lawn of the church in our tents, boxes, and cars. Or bring a bedroll and sleep on the floor inside (many people stay with a friend when they lose their housing).

We will have breakfast together before Sunday School

If you would like to make an online donation in support of this year’s sleep out, visit iocp.ejoinme.org/140 or go to the announcements section at www.plymouthcreek.org

Sharon Watkins Adds Her Voice to "Break the Silence" for the DRC

October 6, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings today in the name of the living Christ – and on behalf of brother and sister Disciples across the United States and Canada. It is an honor to add my voice in breaking the silence about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Disciples' roots in Congo go back over 100 years. Today the Disciples of Christ Community in Congo is strong and vibrant. It is led by as gifted and skilled a group of leaders as can be found anywhere in the world church. And yet these partners tell us forthrightly that people in Congo are suffering.

The war in the east has brought to a halt all across the country to the needed development of infrastructure that might have followed the end of a cruel dictatorship. The war drains the energy and resources of the national government. But more heart-breaking are the weapons of terror that are used in that war against women and children. It's time for the world community to shine a light on the violence, and to insist that the Congolese government and the United Nations turn their attention to putting an end to it.

The World Council of Churches, through its top governance body, the Central Committee, has urged WCC member churches "to publicly condemn violence against women" in the DRC. It has urged all parties in the conflict to put an end to all acts of sexual violence and called on the government "to end impunity for rape and to evolve effective strategies to combat sexual violence."

Such measures are long overdue. But there is more. We, too, citizens of the United States and Canada, have a role to play.

The war in the eastern DRC is complicated. It is partly a remnant of the very disputes that led to the Rwandan genocide not so long ago. But it is also due to the unimaginably rich store of natural resources in Congo – resources that the 21st century world demands for jet fuel, cell phones and computers. People and companies of many nations have gotten rich taking minerals from Congo without compensating the Congolese. Such greed fuels the war. This centuries old pattern of taking from Congo – from slavery, through the rubber trade, through trade in diamonds and copper to today's trade in cobalt and coltan – has left Congo exhausted and depleted. And yet the church continues to grow, the people continue to work and to hope for a better day. They reach out to us as partners to help break the pattern and break the silence by standing up and speaking out and searching our own consciences.
At General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) this summer I spoke about Henoch, a child of a Congolese Disciples pastor. I said Henoch, a child of God, is also our child. As you break the silence today I hope you will remember the children of eastern Congo who live in terror of the next militia coming through. Remember their mothers and sisters whose lives are devastated by horrors that most of us cannot imagine. I hope you will pray for them and for us, that you will educate yourselves about the role we play in today's interconnected global economy, and that you will continue to speak up and to give, so that Henoch's generation can know peace.

In the name of the one who came that we might know life in abundance,

Sharon E. Watkins - General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

For More Information
Sandra Gourdet
Area Executive
Africa
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis,Indiana 46206
317-713-2551
Fax: 317-635-4323
sgourdet@dom.disciples.org

THIS I BELIEVE

I believe avoiding the seven deadly sins is a good guide for how to live life. If you look at the news, all of the crimes revolve around the seven deadly sins. For me, remembering the seven deadly sins is easier than remembering all of the Ten Commandments. Avoiding the seven deadly sins will not result in a life on easy street where a person does not have any problems.

The Proverbs and other stories in the Bible teach lessons that revolve around how greed, wrath, and sloth can cause problems for individuals. I do not believe the seven deadly sins are actually listed out in the Bible, but the passage located in Galatians 5:19-21 does warn about them. If a person does not avoid them he/she will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

I believe this because of experience. If I sit around and watch television or search for car parts on the Internet, after I waste the time I look back at it and wish I would have done something more productive with my time. Of course, you cannot get that time back, and life is short. This is an example of sloth. When I was in High School, I was the most materialistic person on Earth. Now, when I see how if I were to win a million dollars or try to acquire a job that pays six figures, would I be happy? No. I also see how when people get more money, it appears to never be enough and they keep wanting more. This is the greed example. All wrath does is stress you out.

Every time I give in and perform one of the sins, I always regret it later. If I watch a movie I should not have (lust) or try to act similar to another person who is not a Christian (envy), I always feel poor a day later. The consequences do not feel as if I am being punished by God. The fact is negative results always happen. If I avoid one of the sins, I feel better later. Not a prideful feeling, though.

I try not to tell others what to do and neglect the log in my own eye, but I think avoiding the seven deadly sins is a helpful start. I am not stating this is the only guide to live by, and neglect the Bible and going to church. Experience has taught me this has value, though.

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 25, 2009

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Nov. 14 Women’s Tea
The Sleep Out 2009

IOCP News

The challenge in maintaining FoodShelf inventory is unprecedented. Basic products are either unavailable or unaffordable at the food bank. More families are using the FoodShelf more frequently and there are 30-40 new families every month needing help.

We expect 450 families to register for the Adopt A Family program this year. Your support and participation are needed more than ever in the weeks to come.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the FoodShelf, to sponsor a family, and to help December 11,12, and 13th during the Adopt A Family weekend. Please call 952-475-2436 to be a sponsor, to volunteer, or for information or go to pccc.pbworks.com/IOCP.

Thank you

Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of school supplies to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners.

Our BACK TO SCHOOL program has become an institution in the community – providing critical service to low-income families with children and a delightful opportunity for individuals and groups to support a worthwhile project. Some of our donors are preschoolers who’ve saved “allowance” and birthday money, then selected and delivered their donations themselves, seeing firsthand how this wonderful process works. What a simple and effective way to develop a lifelong habit of the heart!

Your support is genuinely appreciated. We couldn’t do it without you!

Sincerely,
LaDonna Hoy, Executive Director
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners

SHARING THE BOUNTY----------

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners will distribute 100,000 pounds of food during the holiday season. We can meet the challenge with your help. Please consider donating early in November or December ---several thousand bags will be prepared for each of the holiday distributions!

Appetizers, potatoes, cheese, sausage, crackers, cake mix, nuts, bread, butter or margarine, rolls, stuffing mix, frosting mix, canned or fresh fruit, aluminum foil,
canned or fresh vegetables, plastic wrap, canned soup, foil, turkey pan, whipped cream mix, holiday napkins, pie crust mix, gift certificates for turkeys

This list can be found online at pccc.pbworks.com/Holiday-needs

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

October Mission Focus: CROP Walk
November Mission Focus: The Sleep Out

Former WoC Intern Reports from Indonesia
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Dear Friends,

{The Rev. Bonnie Carenen, former WoC Intern, is now working for Church World Service in Indonesia. She has sent this on-the-ground report of our relief efforts. We are so grateful for her service.}

Earthquakes don't kill people, but broken buildings and a breakdown in the infrastructure do. Similarly, it is not merely houses or institutions that keep people alive in an emergency situation, but the hands and hearts and fortitude of people who take courage and compassion seriously.
In western Sumatra and across Indonesia, earthquakes are common enough. The 17,000 islands of Indonesia exist because of seismic activity along the "Ring of Fire," an unlucky-horseshoe-shaped geological belt that stretches around the Pacific rim from north of Australia to Japan, around to Canada, including the western United States, and down to Chile in South America. It includes the most active earthquakes and volcanoes in the world, and some of the richest, most fertile soil.
The 7.6 Richter scale earthquake that struck in Padang in western Sumatra two weeks ago destroyed the lives and livelihoods of many people. It also created a fragile moment when God's moving in the world was keenly experienced and shared. In this story Zukri Amra first ensured the well being of his family, then quickly gathered thirty teenagers to help survivors out from under the rubble, until he was sure "nothing more could be done." This truly is courageous compassion.
Week of Compassion's implementing partners in Indonesia, including Church World Service, oversaw first-response efforts, including distribution of tents and tarps, establishing water and sanitation supplies, and distributing emergency medical relief. Now, efforts have moved from emergency relief to intermediate recovery. CWS is creating safe spaces for children to play and work through their confusion and anxiety. CWS is helping supply families with resources to rebuild and fortify their homes so they are quake-resistant.
In Indonesia and around the world, 'expected unexpecteds' are a part of life. Week of Compassion is committed - by fact and by faith - to the work of responding to the areas of deepest suffering and promoting the widest possibility of mercy and hope.
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?

Disaster Responses:
Vietnam, flood relief
Cambodia, flood relief
Florida, long-term storm recovery

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

October 18, 2009

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Nov. 14 Women’s Tea
The Sleep Out 2009

IOCP News

The challenge in maintaining FoodShelf inventory is unprecedented. Basic products are either unavailable or unaffordable at the food bank. More families are using the FoodShelf more frequently and there are 30-40 new families every month needing help.

We expect 450 families to register for the Adopt A Family program this year. Your support and participation are needed more than ever in the weeks to come.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the FoodShelf, to sponsor a family, and to help December 11,12, and 13th during the Adopt A Family weekend. Please call 952-475-2436 to be a sponsor, to volunteer, or for information or go to pccc.pbworks.com/IOCP.

Thank you

Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of school supplies to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners.

Our BACK TO SCHOOL program has become an institution in the community – providing critical service to low-income families with children and a delightful opportunity for individuals and groups to support a worthwhile project. Some of our donors are preschoolers who’ve saved “allowance” and birthday money, then selected and delivered their donations themselves, seeing firsthand how this wonderful process works. What a simple and effective way to develop a lifelong habit of the heart!

Your support is genuinely appreciated. We couldn’t do it without you!

Sincerely,
LaDonna Hoy, Executive Director
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners

SHARING THE BOUNTY----------

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners will distribute 100,000 pounds of food during the holiday season. We can meet the challenge with your help. Please consider donating early in November or December ---several thousand bags will be prepared for each of the holiday distributions!

Appetizers, potatoes, cheese, sausage, crackers, cake mix, nuts, bread, butter or margarine, rolls, stuffing mix, frosting mix, canned or fresh fruit, aluminum foil,
canned or fresh vegetables, plastic wrap, canned soup, foil, turkey pan, whipped cream mix, holiday napkins, pie crust mix, gift certificates for turkeys

This list can be found online at pccc.pbworks.com/Holiday-needs

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

October Mission Focus: CROP Walk
November Mission Focus: The Sleep Out

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

October 11, 2009

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Oct. 13 Board Meeting 7 PM
Oct. 16 Senior’s Lunch, Lakeshore Grill 11:30 AM
Nov. 14 Women’s Tea
The Sleep Out 2009

CROP Walk 2009

This year’s CROP Hunger Walk campaign is just getting underway and already we have 10 Walkers! There will be a couple of changes to the event this year.

IOCP will receive 6.25 of the NW Suburbs total earnings to help in the local community. In addition to raising funds, this year’s walkers and congregations are encouraged to bring canned goods to the walk. PCCC has been asked to donate soup for IOCP

The walk will be held on October 11. If you would like to be a part of the team or you would like to sponsor a walker, please contact Chana Weaver.

Hunger Progress and Distress

• In September 2000, 189 countries, including the United States, endorsed the Millennium Development Goals to cut in half the percentage of people living in extreme poverty and substantially improve health and education in impoverished countries by 2015.
• In 19 developing countries, the number of hungry has dropped by 80 million over ten years.
• However, higher food prices are likely to push 100 million deeper into poverty.
• Over 923 million people around the world remain hungry – more than the population of the western hemisphere.
• Most of these people are not victims of famine, but suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition that stunts growth and saps energy and potential.
• Every day, more than 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes – about one child every five seconds.
• 1.4 billion people live below the international poverty line, earning less than $1.25 a day.

What is poverty? To come home and see your children go hungry and not have anything to give them.
Brazil

Decaf has arrived!

Reminder- Plymouth Creek Christian Church sells Fair Trade Coffee! Part of your purchase goes to provide hunger relief assistance. $6 a bag; pick it up from the display in the Welcome Center, next to the Church Office.
Currently, we’re selling three types- Breakfast Blend pre-ground, both regular and decaf, and French Roast whole bean. But there are more options available, which you can look at on the equal exchange website. at interfaith.equalexchange.com

Metonia

"Are You Enough"
Metanoia is an ecumenical Christian Retreat for women with the purpose of celebrating our unity in Christ and encouraging us to respond to God's call in our lives as we learn and grow spiritually, personally and in relationships.

Metanoia is a Greek word meaning:
"Desired change of heart and mind found in the knowledge of Christ Jesus"

Metanoia stirs up the SPIRIT OF GOD in your soul, by living, learning, and sharing with dedicated and devoted sisters growing in Christ

This year’s Keyonter is: Jackie Quinn

Metanoia I - (October 14-16, 2009), Chistian Conference Center
Metanoia II - (October 16-18, 2009), Chistian Conference Center

October Sermon Homework-
For the month of October, Pastor Shane is preaching a sermon series titled "Adventures of Biblical Proportion." Here are the scriptures to look at ahead of time. Consider it your sermon homework for the month. No tests, but gold stars and extra credit for those who complete the homework on time!
October 4- Daniel 3- The Fiery Furnace
October 11- Judges 15:9-19- Samson and the Donkey Jawbone
October 18- Judges 4 - Deborah and Jael
October 25- Acts 27:1-2, 7-11, 13-15, 18-20, 27, 39, 42-44- The Shipwreck of Paul

PCCC’s This I Believe Essays

Based on the NPR “This I Believe” series
Check out thisibelieve.org if you want to learn more
We invite every person at Plymouth Creek to write a "This I Believe" essay regarding one aspect of your faith.

1)350-500 words,
2)Tell a story; make it personal,
3)Describe one thing about your faith, i.e. don't try to include everything.
4)Email them to pastor@plymouthcreek.org, or hand it to Pastor Shane, or send it via snail mail, or slide it under the office door.

Each week for the next year, we will put one or two of these in the weekly bulletin insert, so that we can learn from each other what's important about faith, and how to put that into words.

Every essay will be anonymous- so no one needs to feel self-conscious, competitive or worried about judgment. Only Pastor Shane will know who wrote the essay (or not, if you just slip it under his door!).

Check out our first submission at the end of this newsletter.

Fall Sunday School Schedule(s)
Reminder- Sunday School has started. 9 AM (8:45 for Adults) every week. Get ready for another adventure in learning.

Thank You!

I would like to thank all of the people who helped to make the reception for Shane and Tabitha a success. This could not have been done without you!
Thank you to those who brought the wonderful food:

Dee B. , Laurie L., Kay B., Jeanne J., Martha F., Nola N., Glenda G. Charlotte P. Donna J. Ruth P., Carol J.

Thank you to Amy F. for her help in prepping the food and setting the tables.
A special “Thank You!” to Laurie L. for all of her “behind the scenes” helps.
I so appreciate everybody’s time, efforts, and willingness to help out!

LeAnn

THIS I BELIEVE

Many years ago, I lost my father to a very rare cancer for that time. As can be expected I floundered about, lost to any direction I should take. You see, I was fifteen, and just could not get a grip on the spiral I was in. Today we recognize this as Post Traumatic Stress. As was the standard advice for those times I was told to pull myself up by my bootstraps.
Luckily one of my dad’s friends (Mac) who also was a neighbor became a substitute dad in a lot of areas, as did a teacher at the high school (Paul). From them, in what they said and did, my most fundamental beliefs were formed. Not from what they preached intellectually, but how they approached and lived everyday life.

Both of them came to say in one way or another, “Always take the first step.” When that little voice inside says “You don’t know how”, or “You’re not qualified”, or “You’re not worthy”, Take that step! Grab for the gold ring and hang on for dear life. No matter what the outcome you will be the better for it.

And so now I have lived longer than my wildest dreams ever went, I look back and realize that as I picked role models, I picked people who took not just a step, but leaped into the pages of history. All of them took the all important first step, despite the odds or the shortcomings in their personal status.

Make the commitment, take the first step!

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

October 4, 2009

World Communion Sunday

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Oct. 4 Great Communion, Valley Christian Church 4 PM
Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 Choir 7 PM
Oct. 11 CROP Walk
Oct. 13 Board Meeting 7 PM
Oct. 16 Senior’s Lunch, Lakeshore Grill 11:30 AM

What is poverty? To come home and see your children go hungry and not have anything to give them.
Brazil

Friday, October 2, 2009

Dear Friends,
What a week! This has been a week of tremendous suffering, as we have witnessed a destructive tsunami which struck American Samoa, Western Samoa, and the small northern island of Niuatoputapu in Tonga; massive monsoon rains and subsequent flooding in the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia; earthquakes in Indonesia; an ongoing famine in Kenya; and the more than 12,400 families in Georgia who have applied for federal assistance following the severe flooding in that state. A week of suffering, and a week of compassion.

In every case, we have been there. We respond. Thanks to our long-standing, trustworthy and close partnerships with implementing organizations Church World Service and ACT International, and in communication and coordination with our Global Ministries partners and councils of churches, we know what is needed when the disaster strikes. And we respond accordingly. Immediately. Efficiently. Effectively. This is what we do. This is what YOU do. Together, as Church, we turn a week of suffering into a Week of Compassion.

"Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?"

Disciples, we have seen. We see. Let us always take care - as we have done this week. And let us continue to care for so many who are just now beginning the process of recovery and healing. We're in it for the long haul. Committing to caring for the journey - that is what we do, together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your compassion and contributions.

Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?

Disaster Responses:
Samoa, emergency aid
Indonesia, earthquake
Honduras,political crisis
Philippines, tropical storm/flood relief
Missouri, ongoing storm recovery

(Excerpts from State of the Church 2009)
What I hear as the state of the church in the Upper Midwest is something different and I boldly proclaim . . .

I believe that we are reclaiming that different ministry and way of being ‘church’ that our founders dreamed of when they first set out to put forth a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.

Here is what I have heard in the last six months to inspire me to believe that we have arrived:
*I have heard the Regional Board get excited about moving in some radically different directions not just to save money, not just to make a move out of desperation, but out of a vision and a dream to see where God might be leading us again.
*I have heard that even though the economy is down, and we budgeted to be down 4% in Disciples Mission Fund giving, You, the Congregations in the Upper Midwest, found a way to increase the giving over this time last year. And you didn’t do it by just a little, together you increased it by $30,000, an increase that we have not seen in over a decade. But that’s not all…
*I have heard that though we started this year with a line of credit debt of $190,000, not only have we not had to borrow anymore money this year, we have been able to pay the line of credit down by $60,000.
*When we first put out word that we would be hosting a retreat for those who might be hearing a call to ministry, our first call, was from the mother of a ten year-old who wanted to know if her son could attend. He is not alone, I have heard the voices of many who are hearing the calls to ministry. We, as Disciples Together are raising up a new generation… To all the members of the Region’s Commission on Ministry; “Get ready you are going to be very busy.”

For all these things, “I am thankful you all have arrived! Oietchu!”

To read the complete State of the Church 2009 or other Regional Transition documents, go to www.uppermidwestcc.org

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

October Mission Focus: CROP Walk
November Mission Focus: The Sleep Out

Women's Tea
November 14, 2009

Anyone interested in helping to organize the annual Women's Tea, please contact Glenda Glore.

Coffee Time
Reminder- Plymouth Creek Christian Church sells Fair Trade Coffee! Part of your purchase goes to provide hunger relief assistance. $6 a bag; pick it up from the display in the Welcome Center, next to the Church Office.

Currently, we’re selling three types- Breakfast Blend pre-ground, both regular and decaf, and French Roast whole bean. But there are more options available, which you can look at on the equal exchange website. at interfaith.equalexchange.com

Let Pastor Shane know if you want something else, and we’ll add that to the mix. Thanks for participating!

Metonia

"Are You Enough"
Metanoia is an ecumenical Christian Retreat for women with the purpose of celebrating our unity in Christ and encouraging us to respond to God's call in our lives as we learn and grow spiritually, personally and in relationships.

Metanoia is a Greek word meaning:
"Desired change of heart and mind found in the knowledge of Christ Jesus"

Metanoia stirs up the SPIRIT OF GOD in your soul, by living, learning, and sharing with dedicated and devoted sisters growing in Christ

This year’s Keyonter is: Jackie Quinn

Metanoia I - (October 14-16, 2009), Chistian Conference Center
Metanoia II - (October 16-18, 2009), Chistian Conference Center

October Sermon Homework-
For the month of October, Pastor Shane is preaching a sermon series titled "Adventures of Biblical Proportion." Here are the scriptures to look at ahead of time. Consider it your sermon homework for the month. No tests, but gold stars and extra credit for those who complete the homework on time!
October 4- Daniel 3- The Fiery Furnace
October 11- Judges 15:9-19- Samson and the Donkey Jawbone
October 18- Judges 4 - Deborah and Jael
October 25- Acts 27:1-2, 7-11, 13-15, 18-20, 27, 39, 42-44- The Shipwreck of Paul

This I Believe Invitation

In July and August, a small group of Plymouth Creekers studied the wonderful book "Unbinding the Gospel," which helps Christians share their faith more lovingly and courageously. One of its central claims is that we often have difficulty sharing our faith because many of us just don't know what to say! We know Jesus and church are important, but they're so personal that words often escape us. So if we want to get better at sharing faith (and I know I do!!), we need to practice. And what better place to practice then the supportive, intimate community that is your church, Plymouth Creek?!

So the group concocted an idea. Have you ever heard of the NPR series, "This I Believe"? It's real simple. Normal, everyday people write a short essay describing ONE THING they believe, and telling the story of why that is. My favorite is "I believe in always going to the funeral..." Check out thisibelieve.org if you want to learn more.

Anyway, we want every person at Plymouth Creek to write a "This I Believe" essay regarding one aspect of your faith. Each week for the next year, we will put one or two of these in the weekly bulletin insert, so that we can learn from each other what's important about faith, and how to put that into words. One wrinkle: We won't publish your name. Every essay will be anonymous- so no one needs to feel self-conscious, competitive or worried about judgment. Only Pastor Shane will know who wrote the essay (or not, if you just slip it under his door!).
Sound intriguing?! I hope so. Remember the ground rules, 1) 350-500 words, 2) Tell a story; make it personal, 3) Describe one thing about your faith, i.e. don't try to include everything. Email them to pastor@plymouthcreek.org, or hand it to Pastor Shane, or send it via snail mail. Our first installment will be next week and, hopefully, over the next year, every person at Plymouth Creek will have a turn. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your faith. May the intimacy this creates, and boldness it fosters, lead more people to know the glory and grace that is Jesus our Lord!!!

Fall Sunday School Schedule(s)
Reminder- Sunday School has started. 9 AM (8:45 for Adults) every week. Get ready for another adventure in learning. Here's what's happening for:

Children (through fifth grade)- Chana Weaver is teaching about Heroes! No Cape required, but come (or bring your kids and grandkids to) learn about the heroes of faith, and be inspired.

Youth (sixth through twelfth grade)- Pastor Shane is teaching about Liquid...? Liquid is an inspiring series of short DVDs that deal in a hip way about fresh and relevant topics for youth. To start- Issues of change and crossing over to new places in life. Upcoming- God's Top Ten! Oh, and there's gonna be a whole lotta fun!

Adult- (everyone else!)- This will be lay led and team taught. We will use DVD series about contemporary issues of faith and practice, which will combine good teachers with important life questions. First up- A six-week series on Prayer and stories of prayer in the Bible. Next- you decide!

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

September 27, 2009

Prayer List - To see prayer concerns, please visit our prayer board here.

Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar - may be viewed here

Important Dates

Sept. 30 Choir 7 pm
Oct. 4 Great Communion, Valley Christian Church 4 PM
Oct. 11 CROP Walk
Oct. 16 Senior’s Lunch, Lakeshore Grill 11:30 AM

What is poverty? To come home and see your children go hungry and not have anything to give them.
Brazil

WoC Responds to Flooding in Georgia
Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dear Friends,

As Ray Miles, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia, writes, "What started as an inconvenience and a topic of conversation has escalated in many parts of Georgia to a natural disaster." Homes have been destroyed and some lives lost to the torrential rains. As of now, we do not know of any Disciples churches damaged, though some members of Disciples congregations have been significantly affected. In response Week of Compassion is sending a 'solidarity grant' to the Christian Church in Georgia..WoC has also been in touch with the regional ministers and local church pastors in several other states that experienced flooding over the weekend, and so far, there are no reports of other Disciples congregations or members affected.

Thank You, Team Alaska!

The Disciples Volunteering Disaster Response Mission Team returned from Eagle, Alaska, on September 15 after a successful and challenging mission trip. Week of Compassion gives thanks for their ministry and has been proud to partner with them. If you want to read some of their closing thoughts and reflections, be sure to check out the website gd4jc.org/.

Next Ecumenical Rebuild in Cedar Rapids

Week of Compassion is getting ready to team with Church World Service to help plan a 2010 Ecumenical Rebuild Project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help with that community's continued flood recovery efforts. This project is only in the planning stages, so please be on the lookout for more details!

Floods in Mauritania

Through our partnership with ACT International, Week of Compassion is responding to floods caused by an overly abundant rainy season in Mauritania. A country that normally receives very little and scattered rains, Mauritania has this season been "blessed" by more rains than usual. This has created serious population displacements, especially in Rosso, because of the flooding of large parts of this city. The response to this emergency has been slow, due to the twin assumptions that the first rains were a freak event and the situation would be under control quickly.
However, more rains have aggravated the situation, and some 3700 people have been camping in provisional shelters 7 kilometers north of Rosso on higher ground. Their neighborhoods have been flooded, and it is not likely that they will return soon because rains continue to fall. They have appealed for immediate assistance with food, water, shelter and sanitation.

The emergency response is scaling up at this stage and will likely include the provision of clean drinking water through tankering, community mobilization around the management of water points, cleaning and disinfection of toilet areas, and removal of garbage. ACT also plans to assist with mosquito control.

Tropical Storm Jimena

On September 2 and 3, Tropical Storm Jimena hit Western Mexico. Two hundred thousand people were affected by the flood. Water, in some places reaching more than ten feet, destroyed houses and bridges, knocked train cars off the railroad, and damaged electrical delivery and countless pieces of personal property.

Week of Compassion has sent a solidarity grant to the Christian Congregational Churches of Mexico to support the efforts of the local congregation of Empalme. The Church in Empalme will collect food, used clothes and shoes, furniture and appliances for the poor families.
Gifts for all these concerns and other needs around the world are always welcome. Visit www.weekofcompassion.org or send a check to WoC, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?

Disaster Responses:
Mexico, flood relief
Mauritania, flood relief
Georgia, flood relief
Long-Term Development:
Illinois, food security

Week of Compassion is sharing resources and changing lives. Thank you for sharing your resources and helping to change lives.
- Amy Gopp

(Excerpts from State of the Church 2009)

What do I hear as the State of the Church?

What I hear as the state of the church in the Upper Midwest is something different and I boldly proclaim . . .

I believe that we are reclaiming that different ministry and way of being ‘church’ that our founders dreamed of when they first set out to put forth a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.

Here is what I have heard in the last six months to inspire me to believe that we have arrived:

I have heard the Regional Board get excited about moving in some radically different directions not just to save money, not just to make a move out of desperation, but out of a vision and a dream to see where God might be leading us again.

I have heard that even though the economy is down, and we budgeted to be down 4% in Disciples Mission Fund giving, You, the Congregations in the Upper Midwest, found a way to increase the giving over this time last year. And you didn’t do it by just a little, together you increased it by $30,000, an increase that we have not seen in over a decade. But that’s not all…

I have heard that though we started this year with a line of credit debt of $190,000, not only have we not had to borrow anymore money this year, we have been able to pay the line of credit down by $60,000.

When we first put out word that we would be hosting a retreat for those who might be hearing a call to ministry, our first call, was from the mother of a ten year-old who wanted to know if her son could attend. He is not alone, I have heard the voices of many who are hearing the calls to ministry. We, as Disciples Together are raising up a new generation…

To all the members of the Region’s Commission on Ministry; “Get ready you are going to be very busy.”

For all these things, “I am thankful you all have arrived! Oietchu!”

To read the complete State of the Church 2009 or other Regional Transition documents, go to www.uppermidwestcc.org

A Table Before Me: God's Open-Armed Adventure
Come Join the Adventure!

2009 Adventure in Mission– TABLE HOSPITALITY

Every month will include a different focus; every quarter will bring a new activity; every season will provide more challenge to increase your understanding of Mission, deepen your commitment to Mission, develop your capacity for Mission stewardship.

September Mission Focus: Equal Exchange - Disciples of Christ Coffee Project
October Mission Focus: CROP Walk

Women's Tea
November 14, 2009

Anyone interested in helping to organize the annual Women's Tea, please contact Glenda Glore at gglore@comcast.net or 763.475.0803.

October Sermon Homework-
For the month of October, Pastor Shane is preaching a sermon series titled "Adventures of Biblical Proportion." Here are the scriptures to look at ahead of time. Consider it your sermon homework for the month. No tests, but gold stars and extra credit for those who complete the homework on time!
October 4- Daniel 3- The Fiery Furnace
October 11- Judges 15:9-19- Samson and the Donkey Jawbone
October 18- Judges 4 - Deborah and Jael
October 25- Acts 27:1-2, 7-11, 13-15, 18-20, 27, 39, 42-44- The Shipwreck of Paul

This I Believe Invitation

In July and August, a small group of Plymouth Creekers studied the wonderful book "Unbinding the Gospel," which helps Christians share their faith more lovingly and courageously. One of its central claims is that we often have difficulty sharing our faith because many of us just don't know what to say! We know Jesus and church are important, but they're so personal that words often escape us. So if we want to get better at sharing faith (and I know I do!!), we need to practice. And what better place to practice then the supportive, intimate community that is your church, Plymouth Creek?!

So the group concocted an idea. Have you ever heard of the NPR series, "This I Believe"? It's real simple. Normal, everyday people write a short essay describing ONE THING they believe, and telling the story of why that is. My favorite is "I believe in always going to the funeral..." Check out thisibelieve.org if you want to learn more.

Anyway, we want every person at Plymouth Creek to write a "This I Believe" essay regarding one aspect of your faith. Each week for the next year, we will put one or two of these in the weekly bulletin insert, so that we can learn from each other what's important about faith, and how to put that into words. One wrinkle: We won't publish your name. Every essay will be anonymous- so no one needs to feel self-conscious, competitive or worried about judgment. Only Pastor Shane will know who wrote the essay (or not, if you just slip it under his door!)
Sound intriguing?! I hope so. Remember the ground rules, 1) 350-500 words, 2) Tell a story; make it personal, 3) Describe one thing about your faith, i.e. don't try to include everything. Email them to pastor@plymouthcreek.org, or hand it to Pastor Shane, or send it via snail mail. Our first installment will be next week and, hopefully, over the next year, every person at Plymouth Creek will have a turn. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your faith. May the intimacy this creates, and boldness it fosters, lead more people to know the glory and grace that is Jesus our Lord!!!

Fall Sunday School Schedule(s)
Reminder- Sunday School has started. 9 AM (8:45 for Adults) every week. Get ready for another adventure in learning. Here's what's happening for:

Children (through fifth grade)- Chana Weaver is teaching about Heroes! No Cape required, but come (or bring your kids and grandkids to) learn about the heroes of faith, and be inspired.

Youth (sixth through twelfth grade)- Pastor Shane is teaching about Liquid...? Liquid is an inspiring series of short DVDs that deal in a hip way about fresh and relevant topics for youth. To start- Issues of change and crossing over to new places in life. Upcoming- God's Top Ten! Oh, and there's gonna be a whole lotta fun!

Adult- (everyone else!)- This will be lay led and team taught. We will use DVD series about contemporary issues of faith and practice, which will combine good teachers with important life questions. First up- A six-week series on Prayer and stories of prayer in the Bible. Next- you decide!

Pastor's Pen - Click here to read Pastor Shane's latest letter

Read more!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

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