Greetings Church Family,

I hope you are all doing well this week and you have been able to brighten someone’s day!

I would like to remind you that NEXT Sunday, October 5th, is World Communion Sunday. On this day, people draw faith and inspiration from seeing that they are part of a community that boasts millions of believers and worshippers. MCCC would again like to have a sampling of breads provided by the congregation members. Please consider bringing any type of bread (either homemade or store bought) to church by 9:15 am on Sunday, Oct. 5th. (The earlier the better so we have time to set it up!) We will be celebrating Christians from all around the world so if you are able to bring a bread representing your family nationality all the better! Be sure to mark what it is. We will enjoy the varieties in the Fellowship Hall following worship prior to Sunday classes! Jam, jellies, honey, etc. are all welcome too! Thanks in advance for participating!

THIS SUNDAY, Sept. 28th, Chi-Rho (grades 5-8) will meet from 12:30-2pm at the Hiram Field Station, and CYF (High School youth) will meet at MCCC from 6-8pm. Feel free to bring a friend or two to join in the fun!

Life Study with Kathleen Leigh-Lewarchick, will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 8th from 5-6:30pm! Mark your calendars so you don’t forget! More details in the attached Bulletin/Announcements.

Also, just a reminder that Derthick Corn Maze is now open on the weekends through Oct. 26th! It is a great time filled with lots of family fun so please check it out if you haven’t before! (Prices are: 0-3 are Free; 4-64 are $13.00 each; 65+ are $8.00 each.) More details and all other announcements will be found on the last two pages of the attached bulletin, so please take a look!

What’s happening this week?

• Sunday Sept. 28 – Worship Service 9:30am & 4C’s food collection (items needed are: Dish Detergent, Crackers, Canned Corn & Canned Green Beans) and Free Clothing Giveaway collection (Items needed are diapers (sizes 2,4,5,6, & 7), baby wipes, Large & regular trash bags (30gal. & 15gal.) / Sunday School Classes 10:30am – 12:00pm / Derthick Corn Maze 12-9:30 pm / Chi-Rho from 12:30-2pm at the Hiram Field Station / CYF at 6pm at MCCC
• Monday Sept. 29- Hilltop Knitters 1:30-3pm. All are welcome!
• Tuesday Sept. 30 – Story Time has returned for preschoolers! 10:30-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall.
• Wednesday Oct. 1 – “Dwelling in the Word” 1:15-2:30pm
• Thursday Oct. 2 – Loaves & Fishes Community Dinner – “Mystery Meal”!
• Friday Oct. 3 – Derthick Corn Maze 6-9:30 pm / Community Ribbon Cutting 5-6:15 pm to celebrate the new facade in Mantua! Cake & speakers following at R44 Coffee Co. (see announcements)
• Saturday Oct. 4 – Derthick Corn Maze 1-9:30 pm
• Sunday Oct. 5 – Elder’s Meeting @8:30am / Worship Service 9:30am “World Communion Sunday” / Bread Samplings in the Fellowship Hall / Sunday Classes 11-12pm

This Sunday Pastor Chad will be joined by Leighton Baynes as Worship Leader, our Elder’s Kathleen Leigh-Lewarchick & Carol Buzbee who will lead us through Communion, Sarah Park who will guide us through our hymns via her beautiful music, and the MCCC Choir will provide our Special Music selection! Thanks to all for sharing your “talents” to make our worship service so meaningful!

On a side note . . .

This summer has been for me, one of “clearing out & letting go” of things that I have stored in my house for decades! Some things were easy to let go of, while others I found myself pondering over for a while! How do we all collect so much stuff? I know from conversations with others that I am not in a unique situation! Of course, I donated all clothing items to the shed at the church, which will be shared with anyone at the Free Clothing Giveaway in November. I donated lots of books (not the classics!) to the book donation bin in Aurora. Old stored paperwork was burned and I got lots of satisfaction in creating many bonfires – none of which spread into our woods, by the way! Then, last week, I saw a post on Facebook from the APL, who expressed a gigantic need for sheets, towels, rugs, etc. for the pets at the Portage APL. Right now my trunk is filled with items to drop off to the APL – I couldn’t believe how many items I have accumulated that now will be given to help provide comfort to animals in the shelter. When it comes to “giving” there are hundreds of ways you can help, and I feel like I have cleared out so much and the result is there were many, many, items that will now benefit people and animals! I am still not through cleaning out everything, but I am making headway. How about you? Have you a few items to get rid of that you don’t need any more? Maybe now is the time before the next Free Clothing Giveaway rolls around on November 15th, to at least go through your closets! It is a way to accomplish something at home, as well as warm your heart to give to others! May it be so.

Blessings to you all this coming week, in all you do to bring light and love to others! Amen!
Sandi