As of this writing we have a short Calendar of Events – typical with the beginning of a new year!  So I’d like to take this moment to offer a note of “Thanks” to all of you in the congregation. 

Our Mitten Tree donations surpassed previous years’ total items with an accumulation of 286 items donated! The items were separated and distributed to families who are part of the Kids Weekend Meals program.  Excess items will be given to Family and Community Services in Ravenna for families in need.  This is my 2nd year heading up this program and the support we have always gotten from MCCC has been overwhelming!  We appreciate each and every contribution that helped provide items to our community families.

Our Children’s Christmas Program, with a few small changes, was a success again this year under the direction of Ally Bozeka!  The children gathered to bring gifts to the manger that they felt would make the baby Jesus feel like home and bring comfort to him, while Everett and Leighton Baynes provided the narration.  The kids did a wonderful job and it delighted the congregation to see the items they chose to bring.  Thanks to all who participated and to Ally who blesses us each week with her Children’s Moment during worship!

Last, but not least, a special “thanks” goes out to Pastor Chad and those who helped with the Christmas Eve Services!  Some changes had to be made at the last minute but again . . . within MCCC, there is no shortage of people willing to help at a moment’s notice!  Many thanks to Steve and Brian Hurd who set up all the luminaries before the service – what a welcome sight and a perfect beginning to Christmas Eve worship!  And, thanks to Ally and Jon Bozeka for blessing us with their voices in “O Holy Night”.  How lucky are we to have them in our church!  It takes many hands and creative ideas behind the scenes to create a special service like this – so to all those unsung heroes please know you are all a blessing to our church!

As we enter 2022, I’d like to leave you with a thought I reposted (from Nancy Humes!) on Facebook this week.  I think the word “Hope” could also be synonymous with “Faith”.  How about you?  

Hope
If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope.  
Let it be hope that better things are always ahead.
Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest times.
Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your way.
Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, 
and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be…
Because during these times, hope will be the very thing that carries you through.

Blessings of Hope/Faith to you all!
Sandi