As June is beginning to wind down, I can’t help but wonder “Where did the time go this month?”  Part of it was due to the fact that my “old” high school girlfriend stayed with me for the past 3 weeks.  I am amazed that after 55 years (or more) of friendship, we never run out of things to say and topics to cover!  There is nothing like having a friend who knows you inside & out – the good . . . and the bad, and who still wants to spend time together.  Cherish your friends, both old and new.  Focus on the qualities that brought you together as friends.  I feel very blessed to have a number of classmates I can still call “my friend”!  God did good when he placed us together at just the right time!

Reminders:

1) 4th for the 4C’s is tomorrow.  Items needed are: coffee, jello, and toothpaste.  Hope you can bring even one item to help those in our community in need.

2)  Loaves & Fishes free community dinner is this Thursday, June 27th from 5-6:30.  Our menu is: Stuffed Peppers, Hashbrown Potato Casserole, Rolls, & assorted desserts.  Hope you will bring a friend and join us for a meal and fellowship!

3)  Kathy Meier has been working hard to organize our Prayer Shawls. 

 They have now been relocated to the back of the church by the windows, with the shawls hanging on a ladder.  Please check it out!  If you know someone in need, please sign your name on the clipboard, then select a shawl.  This will help us keep track of how many were needed this year!  Many Thanks to Kathy for her organizational gifts!!

Our service tomorrow with Rev. Dr. Alecia Evans-Hayes

 will be focusing on “Trust”.  Trust in God? Trust in relationships? Trust in family or friends?  I hope you will join us in-house or online to hear what she has to say about this topic!  Joining Rev. Alecia will be Katie Baird

 as Worship Leader, Beth Schabel

 leading the Children’s Moment, Steve Hurd and Sally Hoffman who will lead us through Communion, and Jan Green

 who will fill in for Sarah, and who will guide her fingers to work their magic on the organ!  In addition, Beth Schabel will fill our sanctuary with her beautiful voice for our Special Music segment!  I know I have said this before, but each week I think about how blessed we are to have such wonderful people working together to make our Worship Service so special.  Thanks to all of you!

On a side note . . . 

Take a look at the Weekly Calendar this week.  I have created a new segment called “Challenge of the Week.”  I would like to challenge each of you each week to do an act of kindness.  This week’s challenge is:“Be an ear for someone in need”

Look out for someone who seems like they just need to talk – not necessarily for any answers – but just to share their thoughts with someone who will actually take the time to listen!  Be that person for them!  

If any of you have any suggestions for our upcoming Weekly Challenges, please feel free to send them to me!  I would love to hear from you ALL! (secretary@mantuacentercc.org)  If you complete your challenge, send a brief paragraph to me explaining the situation.  How did you feel about it?  Was it hard to keep quiet and just listen?  How did the other person respond?  We might include your responses in an upcoming worship service!

Blessings to all of you,

Sandi