August 9, 2009

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Today (2nd Sunday):

10:00am: Morning Worship

Monday:

4:45pm: Worship Planning

Wednesday:

5:30pm: 7^th - 12^th Bike Night

7:00pm: Men's Jail Ministry

Next Sunday (3rd Sunday):

10:00am: Morning Worship

Mark Your Calendars!

*** Next Sunday we will celebrate the promises of God through baptism to Madison, infant daughter of Steve & Katy.

*** Due to all the Anniversary Celebration activities August 28th--30th, there will be NO 3rd Sunday of the Month evening service!

SRYG Bike Night: On Wednesday, August 12th, 7th -12th come to the rock with your bikes. We will leave the rock at 5:30pm, get dropped off North of New London, bike to Spicer have a snack at the DQ (Paid for by your-self), then we will bike back to the Rock. We should be back to the rock no later then 9:00pm

Redcross Bloodmobile: The Redcross Bloodmobile will be at Raymond CRC on Thursday, August 20th from 1:00pm - 7:00pm. If you are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and haven't given for 56 days you are eligible to donate blood. Please call Janice or Wilma by August 12th to set up a time to come in.

Bible League Minn-ia-kota Retreat: Have you sent in your reservation for Bible League Volunteers' Retreat at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa, on September 15 and 16?

Unity Church Announcements

Unity Family Cares & Concerns

~ Lauren T. continues to recover at home from her surgery.

~ Dorothy L.  continues therapy and home recovery following her surgery.

~ Shirley B. was airlifted this past week due to multiple health issues. She has had a miraculous turn-around this week and is continuing to gain strength at the hospital. 

~ Tony N. has been undergoing tests this past week to remain on the transplant list.  He hopes to wrap up testing tomorrow and return home Tuesday.

Wedding Congratulations: Congratulations to Joe & Amanda who were married yesterday!  May Lord bless your new home and life together!

Unity Choir Practice: We would like to have a large Choir sing at the Friday evening and Sunday morning services of our Anniversary/Dedication weekend later this month.  We plan to rehearse the next two Sundays with the first practice scheduled next week Sunday, August 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

We encourage you to join us even if you are unable to make both rehearsals. Please sign the sheet on the table across from the mailboxes TODAY indicating which part you prefer to sing and which rehearsals you can attend.   

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET RSVP: You should have received an invitation in the mail to attend our Anniversary Banquet dinner on Saturday evening, August 29, at 6:00 p.m. We do have to know how many are coming as we pay by the plate (even though there is no cost to you).  You can put your cards in the return box on the shelf under the mailboxes, or call the church office at 978-4300 to make your reservation.  Please do so THIS WEEK. Thanks!

Bob's Building: Thanks to the Prinsburg community for rallying around Bob!  A team of over 20 people travelled to the reservation last weekend.  They built most of his shop and an enormous deck around his new home.  They dug holes for light posts by the hockey arena, put up a shed for a neighbor, and used their muscles to split wood and do various other tasks for people in the community.  Bob may not move into the new home until a few more details to satisfy code requirements are met, so a few more people may be travelling to the reservation over the next few weeks.  If you are interested, contact Tim S. or Chad H.

Canoe Trip anyone? Consider joining Erik and Ele B. for a canoe trip down the Minnesota River on Saturday September 5. This will be a great way to spend a little time with them in a fun and relaxing setting. Details will be finalized after we find out who and how many participants we have. Tentatively we will leave around 10:00 am and return mid-afternoon with a light lunch on a sand bar. Call Marly if you are interested in joining or if you have a canoe we can borrow.

GEMS Counselor/Board Meeting : There will be a meeting for all GEMS Counselors and Board Members on Wednesday, August 19 at 7 PM in the First CRC Fellowship Hall. If anyone knows of girls outside of your church family that are interested in joining GEMS this season, please contact Lenae B.

Bible League Minn-ia-kota Retreat: Have you sent in your reservation for Bible League Volunteers' Retreat at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa, on September 15 and 16? The deadline is approaching! Invite a friend! Get a group together! You don't want to miss this time of warm Christian fellowship and spiritual renewal. Glenna Salsbury, our featured speaker, weaves thought provoking truth with practical, life-changing applications. Husbands and friends are encouraged to come to the special men's session and stay for the banquet and concert.

GEMS Schwan's Fundraiser: Just a friendly reminder, if you wish to pre-order products from Schwan's turn in your order form to Pat or Joyce by TODAY! You can come and shop for their fine products without pre-ordering as well! We would just like to be sure you get the products you enjoy as well as successfully raise enough money to keep the registration fee for the 2010 GEMS Counselors' Conference down. On August 12, you will be able to pick these products up at First CRC from 4:00 to 8:00p.m during the community picnic. Payment will be made to Schwan's at that time. Thank you so much for supporting this a dynamic ministry.

FRIENDSHIP MINISTRY: Friendship is having a kickoff banquet this year on September 1. It will be at Unity Church in Prinsburg. This will be for all Mentors, students and anyone involved in Friendship Ministries. We will need some volunteers to help serve the meal. We are also in need of a few new Mentors.

Monday night class will start September 14 and Tuesday night the 15th. For Monday night Mentors and banquet volunteers call Helene Dykstra. For Tuesday night Mentors call Clara De Ronde

Community Announcements

One Body In Christ Conference: Register now for the Saturday, August 22nd, Conference to be held in Rock Valley, Iowa, at the Trinity Christian Reformed Church, brochures with a registration form are available in the information rack located in the church library or you can call Pastor Bill Van Dyken 712-476-3136 or email him at bvandyke @hopehaven.org. You can also register online at www.hopehaven.org look under News and Current Events.

Pastor Jim Kok, author of the book: "The Miracle of Kindness: Changing the world one act at a time," will be our key -note speaker and panel moderator. Jim is the Pastor of Care and Kindness at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California. Also Pastor Mark Stephenson, Director of Disability concerns will be present and moderator of one of our panel sessions.

There will be three interactive panels focused on Family, Church and Outreach as they relate to disability issues. We encourage Council Members, Pastors, families, those involved in Friendship Ministries and anyone who desire to hear first hand the stories of those who live with disabling conditions and their family members. Bring your questions, this is an interactive conference!

How much of your estate should go to your children?  This is one of the most common questions asked by Christians when doing Estate Planning.  Don Long, a Christian attorney from Barnabas Foundation, will come alongside you to help you discover the right answer for your family.  Barnabas Foundation provides helpful services to Christians like you, seeking ways to honor God with your wealth, regardless of the size of your estate, your age or stage of life.  Don will be meeting with Christians in our area during August 18 - 20th.  For more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact Barnabas Foundation toll-free at 888-448-3040

Second Annual Community Picnic: First CRC has scheduled its Second Annual Community Picnic for Wednesday evening, August 12.  It will take place on the north lawn of First CRC, weather permitting, so take a lawn chair.  Supper will be served from 5:30 till 6:45.  At 7:00 there will be a short variety show in the sanctuary of First CRC featuring local talent.  The whole Prinsburg community is invited to this special evening.  Please tell your neighbors and take them along!