September
The Maple Leaf Newsletter
From The Pastor's Heart...
Dear Church Family,
It is said that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” We are born imitators. As babies, we begin the process of learning to walk and talk by imitating our parents and other family members. We spend our years imitating our teachers, youth leaders, coaches and pastors. We watch trendsetters in fashion, art, sports and entertainment and shape our lives in the likeness of what we see. There seems to be an innate need to find others after whom we might model our lives and, thereby, extend unto them the “sincerest form of flattery” which is ours to offer.
The scriptures call us to a higher standard. Instead of trying to mold ourselves into carbon copies of everyone else on the planet, we are instructed to “be imitators of God.” As God’s children, we are to long to be like Him! We are to learn to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us…”
May God teach us by His Spirit to be “imitators of His great love for us as we show His love both to Him and to the world around us!
Pastor Greg
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us
and given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."
--Ephesians 5:1 & 2
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The next 5th Sunday Dinner is on September 30th following the worship service.
The cost of the meal is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family.
Menu: Spaghetti, salad, bread & dessert. Bring your own bib!!!!
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The "Festival of Sharing" is Saturday, October 6th, 2007 at the Otterbein College.
We are looking forward to being "on campus" in Westerville, OH.
This new location brings new opportunities for displays, special events, and interaction with friends.
The main "Festival of Sharing Celebration" activities - gathering, exhibits and booths - will begin at 9:00 a. m.
in the Campus Center on "Home Street". On August 19th during the Children's Sermon, Becky Alspaugh will talk
with the kids about going back to school and all the stuff that helps them learn. Becky suggested
while they and their parents were out shopping for school supplies, that they pick up 2 of everything so that they
could provide a school kit for a child in need. The kids then handed out ziploc bags with a list of school supplies
needed ans some with a list of health/hygiene items. The kits will be collected and put in the chest provided in the
narthex through September 26, and then taken to the "Festival of Sharing".
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Crop Walk-this is scheduled for October 14th. Administrative Council decided to participate in this
community event again this year. Organized by Church World Service, this event provides basic food
and water for the hungry as well as raising hunger awareness. It is a time when all denominations
come together for the "least of these". This humanitarian effort raised over $ 8000.00 last year with
255 staying in Fairfield county. Our own Maple Street Community Kitchen Ministry has received
over $600.00 from this event. Please plan to walk and/or support our Maple Street walkers.
Youth for Christ, Hope for the Future Ministries and Dan & Peggy Zimmerman (Lancaster missionaries serving in Bolivia) all
received monies from Maple Street in August through mission giving. Your support of the 5th Sunday Dinners
and all the mission projects are working for Our Lord!
WE THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
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LOCAL SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
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Membership/Evangelism
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Men's Bible Study
