ANNOUNCEMENTS

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CAMP WYOMING ? Hey Kids!  Ever thought of going to camp in winter?  Dec.  28-30, 2009 ...Cost:  $80 per camper .. Grades:  3rd - 12th. It's not too early to sign up for  WINTERTAINMENT at Camp Wyoming.  It is a great chance to reunite with friends from the summer and make new ones in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  Activities include: Winter Olympics, Morning Worship, Tubing, Bible Studies, Camp Jam, Campfires, Broomball and so much more.  Register on-line at  www.campwyoming.net/youth_retreats.htm

CLEANING FOR A REASON     If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.  
    All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.   http://www.cleaningforareason.org
     Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through Breast Cancer treatment.  This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It?s our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.  

ALTERNATIVE GIFT IDEA from the Presbytery Newsletter
     When people think about disaster recovery, they think of rebuilding homes. But whole homes are not the whole story. Whole lives are!   You can be a part of helping people reclaim their lives. Money donated to the presbytery to help with flood relief has been used to assist many flood survivors.       
     Here are just a few examples:  Utilities have been turned on; Food has been distributed through gift cards; Back property taxes have been brought current; Rent has been covered (one homeless mom was 8 months pregnant at the time); Flooring was purchased for a family; Windows were purchased; Doctor's bill paid for woman who lost everything in the flood; Appliances were installed; Prescriptions were provided to a family for one month ?
     This year the Presbytery would like to challenge you to consider a gift to assist those still in need.  According to the Community Recovery Center in Cedar Rapids, there are many more families who could use your help. Instead of giving a gift certificate or unneeded sweater this year, why not consider giving a gift in a family member's name to another family in need? The Presbytery can provide a gift card to let your family member or friend know of the donation given in their honor. If interested, contact Sarah Dyck, Disaster Recovery Coordinator at sdyck@peia.org or call her at 319.354.9220

MERCY HEARTLIGHTS 2009    For the 18th year the Heartlight Tree will shine brightly at the 10th Street entrance to Mercy Medical Center.  White hearts can be purchased for $5; red hearts may be purchased for $10; and for $15 or more you may purchase a gold heart in honor or remembrance of someone special to you.  A red light will be lit on the outside tree in honor of your recipient on Dec. 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM.  All are invited to the tree lighting ceremony.  Proceeds go to supporting the refurbishing of Hallmar.  Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. 

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY IN NOVEMBER
11:00-11:45 a.m. in the Living Room on November 1, 8, 15, and 22 with Pastor Julie. Bring your favorite Bible or use one of the church?s copies.
     Let us explore together what the Bible does and does not say about the entrance of Jesus as an infant. We may be surprised, we may be reassured, and we may be confronted with God who turns the world upside down.

PW/JOHANNAS MEETING is Monday, November 16th at 1 p.m. (not Monday, November 9th as was in the announcements previously).

TO ALL INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH TOTS CLUB    Jodie Chadima would like to have a meeting of interested tots parents on a Satuday in November for a potluck around 5:00pm.  After sharing a meal, the Tots can play with playdoh and paints while adults discuss & plan.  It would be a great way to involve parents of new tots and help them get to now new families.  Tots Club is open for all families with a child ages birth through pre-school.  Call Jodie at 845-7038 with ideas and times you could meet.
 
"SENIORS" HOLIDAY MEAL RESERVATIONS    The youth will again have a Holiday meal for the seniors of our church (and some friends) on Saturday, November 21st.  Please let either Leigh Benish or the church office know if you would like to attend.

SOUP SUPPER ITEMS    Monica Bailey would like to have all of the yard signs returned to the church.  She is missing quite a few yet.  We will reuse them next year.  Also, Becky Grenis could use jars to replenish her supply.  Please bring them to the church labeled "for Becky".

LOST & FOUND   Please check the lost and found box and left over County Kitchen box and take your belongings.  They are overflowing!

THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Thanksgiving Community Service will be hosted by St. John Lutheran Church in Ely on Sunday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. A choir of all three participating churches (St. John?s, Shueyville Methodist, and First Pres. Ely) will sing "Come, You Thankful People, Come." Rev. Julie Schuett will be preaching on Matthew 6:25-34. Her message is titled: The Complaint Department is Closed Today.     

INSTALLATION   Pastor Julie's installation; because of the busy schedule ahead and the time needed to coordinate this service, it will not be scheduled until after the first of the year.

OLDER NEWS

PER CAPITA CONTRIBUTIONS     Have YOU contributed?  The amount this year is $27.95 for each adult member or confirmed member.  You do not pay for children who have not yet been confirmed.  Please write a check for the amount and be sure to mark "Per Capita" in the memo line.  You may place the check in the offering plate, mail it in, or drop it off in the office  Thanks to all those that have already contributed their portion.

If you have announcements,
please contact the office at 848-4624 (leave a message)
or email the church office