Greetings MCCC!

I hope all of you had a happy and safe 4th of July!  We saw (and heard!) many fireworks around the area so there were many events for neighbors, friends, and family to attend!  However you chose to celebrate . . . I hope you enjoyed it!

Reminders:

1) “Mantua’s Art on the Hill & Wine Tasting Too” is TODAY, SATURDAY, JULY 8TH, FROM 10-6 ON PROSPECT STREET!  They are having a variety of artisans displaying their wares, food vendors, a photo contest, live music, raffles and MORE!!  Hope you will stop by and wander Prospect Street for this annual event that draws crowds from all around the area!

2)  Attention allELDERS!  Don’t forget our July meeting at 8:30am TOMORROW!  3)  MARSI (Mantua Area Restoration Society, Inc.) is hosting their monthly “2nd Fridays Soup & Salad Supper” next Friday, July 14th from 4-7pm at the old Mantua Center School.  They are now featuring music, while you dine, by “Moonshadow” (Skip Schweitzer, Cal Craig, & Sarah Harvey).  What a DEAL!  Dinner AND music – all for a donation!!

4)  Mark your calendars for July 23rd to attend an ice cream social following worship.

 Rev. Alicia’s last Sunday will be the 30th, but we are having a get-together early to say “Thank You” for filling in while Chad has been away.  Hope you will all make a point to attend and show our MCCC appreciation!

5)  Our next MCCC Potluck will be Sunday, July 30th following worship.  Please bring a dish to pass and join in fellowship with all!  Thanks again to the Elder’s who have volunteered to organize and clean-up afterward!  

Tomorrow’s worship service will be led by Rev. Dr. Alicia Evans-Hayes. The scripture will be John 10:1-16 if you would like to check it out prior to the service!  Joining Rev. Alicia will be Rev. Nancy Humes as Worship Leader, Brian Hurd who will lead the Children’s Moment, Brian Hurd and Roger Cram who will lead us through Communion, Sarah Park who will provide our beautiful music, AND Jan Green who will provide our “Special Music” segment.  Following Jan’s music selection, we will then get to join in as we sing a new song #697, “Creative God, You Spread the Earth.”  So . . . pay attention to the tune as Jan plays her selection, so we can sing it afterward!  On a side note . . . This is the 3rd week for my “Challenge of the Week.”  The challenge this week is to “Reach out to a NEIGHBOR!”  Do you even know your neighbors?  Have you seen them and simply just waved and said “hi”?  Do they have a hobby? Are they involved in community events?  Do they follow the action in sports, watch the same TV shows, or go to church?  Where do they work?  I know we all have busy lives, but I am still amazed how you might know very little about the people who live right around you – sometimes just a few feet away!  So, the challenge this week is to select a neighbor you don’t see much, and check on them to see how they are doing!  How’s their family doing?  Perhaps take a plate of cookies or other baked goods (to help break the ice!) and go introduce yourself.  You might be surprised how much you have in common!  Let me know how this challenge went for you . . . and for your neighbor!  Simply reply to this message or send me a separate one to: secretary@mantuacentercc.org.  Can’t wait to hear from you!!  In the words of Gandhi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Wishing you all a week filled with surprising blessings as you “Reach out to a Neighbor”!  

Sandi