I hope you all made it through the recent storms safely!  Although much of the area around my home looked like a war zone, we were very fortunate to have damage that can at least be cleaned away (branches/treetops, etc.) and only lost electricity for a short time. Prayers for those who are still without power. 

The Calendar, which includes everything for the entire month of September can be found below.  I will be on vacation Mon. 8/28 – Mon. 9/18 so please hang on to this document as I will not create a new one until the beginning of October!  Additionally, I have extended the time frame of our weekly challenge to a Monthly Challenge! So, the 10th Challenge of the Month is to “Find gratitude in all that you do” throughout the month of September! Even if your day does not go as planned, look deeply to find pieces of the day that you can honestly say you are grateful for.  Sometimes even the pieces that go totally wrong can still be a blessing through the teaching of a good lesson.  Let me know how it goes!

While I am gone, Sue and Steve Hurd will be creating the church bulletins.  If you have a prayer request, please send it to Sue Hurd at shurd1541@gmail.com, or Steve Hurd at: shurd1@aol.com.  (This could change when Chad returns, but until you hear differently, Sue & Steve have it covered!)

Reminders:

1) 4th for the 4C’s is TOMORROW!!  Items needed for August are: Granola bars and Peanut Butter (small or medium jars).

2) The Yarn Group meets at Hilltop Church on Mon. Sept. 4th and Sept. 18th, from 1:30-3pm! See the ad!

2)  Loaves & Fishes Dinner is THIS THURSDAY, Aug. 31st from 5-6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall!  Spread the word!

3)  Sunday, Sept. 3rd Pastor Chad will return! Following worship we will celebrate with an ice cream social!  Hope you all will be able to join us for this special event!

4) Sept., 8th, 9th, & 10th will be Mantua’s annual Potato Festival!  Hope you can join in the festivities!

5) Saturday, Sept. 9th, don’t forget Kathleen Lewarchick’s Centering Prayer Event from 9-11:30am.  Check out the ad.

6) FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY is on Sat. Sept. 9th from 9-12pm.  Stop by and replenish your wardrobe or your kids, all for free!  (St. Joseph’s School Building, on the 2nd floor.)

7) On Sept. 12th Story Time returns!  10:30-11:30am.  See the ad and spread the word!

8) Sept. 17th is Baseball with the Babes!  2-4pm across from Sunny Lake Park in Aurora. We need players!

9) 4C’s Food Collection – Sept. 24th (Items coming soon!)

10) Sept 28th, Loaves & Fishes Meal, 5:00-6:30pm.  Come join in fellowship and a prepared meal!

While I am gone, I am wishing you all the ability to find gratitude in all that you do next month.  My gratitude today is that I have all of you as my church family!

Sandi