Rev. Cynthia will be on vacation for two weeks. Others will fill in at the pulpit during this time for the October 25th (Kweethai Neill) and November 1st (Roger Cram) services. We send both Paul and Cynthia off with our prayers for safe travels and a safe return. Please support our members as they fill in during her absence!

This Sunday we will have our October Board Meeting at 12pm, following Sunday classes. If you plan to attend this meeting (everyone is welcome!) Please read over the attached minutes from the last meeting and be ready to vote to accept them at Sunday’s meeting. Hope to see you there!

As you enter the church on Sunday and receive your bulletin, don’t forget to take a moment to write in the journal in the entryway if you know someone who needs prayers or to share a special joy this week. These will be included in Rev. Cynthia’s Pastoral Prayer. We want to both pray and rejoice with each of you!

Faith Brewer and Pam Auble are organizing their first “Trick or Treat” event at MCCC NEXT Sunday, October 25th, from 2-4pm. Faith is asking for various donations of candy, your time (to pass out treats), snacks, drinks, etc. If you can help, please bring donations to the church and place them in the designated “Trick or Treat” bin in the back of the sanctuary. This event will also host face painting, hotdogs, snacks, pumpkin painting and live music performances! Spread the word – ALL ARE WELCOME! It will be a “spook-tacular” time! See the attached flyer! Click on the link to sign up to help:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EACA82BA2F5C43-66188177-trick#/

In case you missed Rev. C’s Midweek Meditation this past Wednesday, the link for October 14, 2026 “Finding God in Nature’s Changes,” #41 is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98NOHivgg4E. You can also view it on our website: mantuacentercc.org under “News.”

The 4C’s (Crestwood Coalition of Community Care) still needs volunteers! 4C’s is interested in finding a representative from Mantua Center Church to attend board meetings to help with communication between the organizations. The board meetings are once a month usually the first Monday of the month, but can vary slightly. Also, 4C’s is in dire need of volunteers to help pack or do intake information for clients. No help will be turned away! Contact Sue Pollard if you are interested: whiteoaks082586@gmail.com OR call (234) 450-4168.

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What’s happening this week?

• Sunday Oct. 18
  – Worship with Rev. Cynthia 9:30am
  – Sunday Classes 11am-12pm **
  – MCCC Board Meeting 12pm
• Monday Oct. 19
  – Hilltop Knitters meet at Hilltop Church from 1:30-3pm. All are welcome!
  – Bell Choir Practice at MCCC at the NEW TIME – 6:30pm with Cheryl Delaney!
• Tuesday Oct. 20
  – Story Time 10:30 – 11:30am for all preschoolers and an accompanying adult! Questions? Contact Pam Auble
  – KWM Bread Deliveries are due today!
  – Smile Team meeting at 1pm in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!
• Wednesday Oct. 21
  – KWM Packing Bags 12pm
  – Rev. C’s Midweek Meditation on YouTube.com
  – Dwelling in the Word” with Diane Johnson 1:15-2:30pm
  – Life Study with Jon Secaur, from 7-8:30pm in the Campbell Room!
• Thursday Oct. 22
  – KWM Delivering Bags
• Friday Oct. 23 – N/A
• Saturday Oct. 24 – N/A
• Sunday Oct. 25
  – Worship with Kweethai Neill and music by Steve Stork 9:30am
  – Sunday Classes 11-12pm
  – MCCC’s “Trick or Treat” Event! Open to EVERYONE! 2-4pm. Chi-Rho & CYF will be helping with Spread the word!

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On a side note . . .

Last week I introduced the fact that we would hear from the Stewardship Committee during the “Invitation to Give” from Oct. 11th – 25th. The fall has historically been set aside for us all to reflect on the church and to examine the part each of us plays in MCCC’s future. A church stewardship campaign can, in a way, deepen our faith. How? It reminds us that everything we have – our time, our talents, and our financial resources – is ultimately a gift from God!

At the same time, it can also encourage gratitude by recognizing and giving thanks for God’s abundance, rather than simply focusing on the church’s needs. As I reflected on my role in the church, I realized the Stewardship Campaign can be a spiritual journey of gratitude, faith, generosity, and commitment, helping us ALL see that our gifts make it possible for the church to be a place where people encounter God, find hope, experience community, and share Christ’s love with others!

As we reflect on our individual part within Mantua Center Christian Church, take a moment, again, to think about the question, “How is God calling ME to participate in His work through this church?” I would encourage you to also think of ways you can help, that you might have been too timid to act on before. We are currently in the midst of the fall season with changing colors all around us! Perhaps this is the perfect time for you to consider making a change to draw closer to God! Help with a mission, give a little more financially if you are able, share your musical talents during worship, or volunteer to be a Deacon or a Door Greeter . . . or even volunteer to be a Worship Leader! (YES! You would be great at ANY of those things!) So, put on your “thinking caps” and ask yourself, what is God calling YOU to do?

As another week begins, don’t forget to bring a smile to someone (or several “someone’s”) this week through your acts of kindness. Let your light shine brightly upon everyone you meet! You never know how far it will spread! May it be so.

Blessings to all! Sandi