This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, and since red is the symbolic color for Pentecost, we will have our sanctuary filled with red geraniums thanks to those who purchased them! I can’t wait to see our church this Sunday! Qweethai Neill, our new member of MCCC, mentioned recently that red is the color of Joy in China. With that in mind, I look forward to a joyful Pentecost service! If you are able, don’t forget to wear something red this Sunday! (Also, please be prepared to take home your ordered geraniums after worship! If you ordered several, you might bring a box or large bag to take them home in.)

Mark your calendars for the following future dates:

1. 4th for the 4C’s is June 22nd. Items needed this month are: Crackers, Pancake Mix, Baked Beans, and Pasta Sauce.
2. Free Clothing and Diaper Giveaway is also collecting Diapers, Baby wipes, large black trash bags (30 gal) and regular trash bags (15 gal) on June 22nd. You can also drop your items off in the blue bin at the lower level entrance if you can’t make it to church.
3. The CYF Mission Trip attendees will be leaving on June 22nd! They are always in need of snacks, so if you would like to donate to our youth this would be a great way. Items should be individually wrapped & brought to the church at any time. (Please label it so we know it is for CYF). If you are bringing fresh fruit, please bring that to the church on June 22nd. Thanks in advance for your support!
4. Loaves & Fishes will have their next free community meal on June 26th from 5-6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be serving Pizza, salad, mixed fruit and assorted desserts. Bring a friend and join in a dinner and conversation! Donations are gratefully accepted but not required.
5. Our 5th Sunday of the Month Potluck will be June 29th. Plan to bring a dish to share and catch up with friends. Then . . . stay a little longer for our 2nd Day of Kindness. Our leaders Kathleen and Roger will be hosting a car wash – location to be determined.

What’s happening this week?

1. Sunday, June 8th – Pentecost Sunday 9:30am / Sunday Classes 10:30-12 noon
2. Monday, June 9th – N/A
3. Tuesday, June 10th – N/A (Story Time is done until Fall)
4. Wednesday, June 11th – “Dwelling in the Word” 1:15-2:30pm / “Life Study” 6:30-8:00pm
5. Thursday, June 12th – N/A
6. Friday, June 13th – 2nd Friday’s Supper by MARSI 4-7pm at the old Mantua Center School. By donations only. Take a night off from cooking and stop by for dinner!
7. Saturday, June 14th – N/A
8. Sunday, June 15th – Father’s Day Worship 9:30am / Sunday Classes 10:30-12:00 noon / MCCC Board Meeting 12:00-1:00pm (All are welcome!)

There are lots of events also going on in our community as well as our church, so please check out all the details on the last 2 pages of the attached bulletin. Feel free to contact me via email: secretary@mantuacentercc.org for any other announcements that should be included with the bulletins!

On a side note . . .
Now that summer is finally upon us, it seems like the list of jobs that need completed is never-ending! Do you feel the same? When you live, like I do, surrounded by woods, there is the endless chore of picking up branches that have fallen, cutting grass, weed trimming, painting what needs to be painted, all kinds of outside repairs, planting gardens, etc. And, those are just some of the outside duties – I haven’t even gotten to the regular cleaning and other inside jobs! Sigh! I really do enjoy being outside and tackling some of these projects, but I must remind myself to slow down a bit and know that all shall be well if I don’t get it done on MY time schedule! I came across a quote this week from Ralph Waldo Emerson that seems to be a good reminder for me – and perhaps for all of us. He states, “Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of God.”

May we all slow down a little more, take a few extra breaks, and reflect on Emerson’s words this week. It is in the moments of silence that we can allow ourselves to hear the whispers of God! Blessings to you all this week and beyond!
Sandi