November 16, 2008

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, November 16

9:00 Sunday School for students in grades 3 - 12.

10:00am:  Morning Worship and Children's Church for children ages 3-preK and K-gr.2

6:30pm: Praise & Prayer Worship

Monday:

4:45pm: Worship Planning Meeting

Wednesday:

6:30pm: GEMS at First CRC

7:00pm: SRYG at the Rock on 8th  - 9th - 12th Grade

7:00pm: Men's Jail Ministry

9:00pm: Worship Team Practice

Sunday, November 23

9:00 Sunday School for students in grades 3 - 12.

10:00am:  Morning Worship - "The Gospel & Greed" (Romans 7: 7-25)

and Children's Church for children ages 3-preK and K-gr.2

SRYG Schedule!

Wednesday, November 19th - 9-12th grades at the Rock 7-9p.m.

Topic: TBA

Wednesday, November 26th, NO YOUTH GROUP - THANKSGIVING

Mark Your Calendar!

Wednesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7:00pm

 "Grateful Living, Grateful Worship"

Wednesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve Service

(Time to be announced.)

Unity Church Announcements

Prayer Ministry

At the conclusion of our worship time each week people will be available to pray with you about any item of concern to you.

Prayer & Praise Night

The Council invites you to join us tonight at 6:30 for another time of worship and prayer. 

Prison Ministry

This morning the prison ministry team is serving at the St. Cloud correctional facility. Those serving are: Sarah Brouwer, Bob Donyes, Willis Wubben, Wilson Brouwer and Pastor Steve. Please be in prayer that the Lord would impact lives through the power of his gospel and the service of this team.

Building Expansion Update

The street north of the church and the main parking lot are now paved and can be used.  The small lot on the west side (by the kitchen) should not be used during the week.  On Sundays, we ask that you leave the spaces in that lot, and those closest to the doors in the main lot, available for those who have difficulty walking.  In addition to the site work, the last couple weeks the primary work has been the underground work in the sanctuary, and exterior and interior work on the office and nursery wings.  Now that all the structural steel has finally arrived, the plan (assuming decent weather) is to build the exterior peak, put up the interior wood ceiling and the electrical work that goes in it, and finish the roofing within the next three to four weeks.  The team has also been working on finalizing the purchase of the pews and chairs, and the ordering of the audio / visual equipment. We are planning for a more thorough update and "walk-through" on December 14 after the morning worship service.  The targeted completion date is still mid-April.  We thank you for your support and cooperation during this time of construction.

Town Hall Meeting Information

The documents on the Council Restructure Proposal and the Administrator of Church Life discussion shared at the congregational meeting last Sunday are available by the church mailboxes or by going online to www.unitycrc.org.  

Continued Prayers

Elva Post is continuing to recover from her back surgery at her daughter Debbie Hillenbrand's home. Visitors are welcome and encouraged! 

Laura Brouwer is going on her 8th week of bed rest during this pregnancy. It is anticipated at this time that this will continue through to her due date in February. Please continue to pray for strength, health and patience for both mom and baby, Dave and the kids.

Thank You

Thank you all so very much for your faithful support of Margaret Njuguna, with CRWRC in East Africa. Through her, you are blessing the poor. Way to go Unity!

Wedding Congratulations

Congratulations to James & Maria Nonweiler who were married in our church yesterday.

Open House Baby Shower

You are invited to an Open House Baby Shower honoring, Etta Louise Grannes, infant daughter of Eric & Mindy. The shower will be held on Saturday,     November 22nd, come and go between 9:30am - 11:00am at the home of Phil Mulder (Mindy's dad). Everyone is welcome!

Angel Tree

Here is another early reminder that Christmas is coming. We have received our Angle Tree names from Prison Fellowship. If you are willing to buy gifts for the child of a parent who is spending this Christmas in a Minnesota State Correctional Facility, please contact Marly or Kerry Breems. This has been a very meaningful and encouraging ministry to some hurting children in past years and is certain to be again.

2009 Children of the Promise Calendar now available

If you are interested in ordering a calendar, please contact Sue DeGroot, Jan Bonnema or go online to childrenofthepromise.org. They are $20.00 each. A sample calendar is on the back table. Prepayment is required. Please make checks payable to COTP.

Announcements

Community Announcements are available in the information rack located on the wall in the fellowship hall.

Announcements are also available on our website at www.unitycrc.org

Prayer Corner and Ministry Information is online at members.unitycrc.org

Community Announcements

Open House

Everyone is invited to an open house at the Cardinal Apartments on Tuesday, November 25, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Please come and take a tour of our new       addition, and enjoy some refreshments

Central Minnesota Christian School Harvest Festival

The CMCS Harvest Festival is Saturday, November 22 with the ham supper, silent auction, and Kid's Carnival starting at 4:30 pm.  The live auction starts at 6:00.  Make sure to visit the General Store, International Bakery, Harvest Blend Coffee Shop, and Snack Shack. Students in grades 7-12 can have fun at the Teen Scene in the elementary gym at 6:30 - 8:30.  Bring family and friends for a fun filled night!

Willmar Area Faith at Work Luncheon

You are invited to attend the Faith at Work Luncheon on Thursday, November 20th, 11:45 at the Kandi Entertainment Center in Willmar. Speakers will be: Police Chief Jim Kulset and Fire Chief Marv Calvin. Invite your friends and co-workers to attend this luncheon with you!

Senior Citizens and all Family Members

We will be hosting a special meeting regarding Senior citizens at the Prinsburg Community Center on Wednesday, November 19th at 1:30pm. Deb Olsen and Pam Brady will speak about the available services for home health care and assisted living needs. We are encouraging families to attend so that you understand what's available for your parents care as they age. Coffee and cookies will be served. If you would like to stay and play games or cards please take them along.

Holy Land Tour

Due to several cancellations there are 6 more spaces available. If you are interested in going on the Holy Land Tour March 25th - April 5th please call Ardy Zondervan for more details.

The Prairie Arts Chorale will be presenting "Slice of Minnesota: A Musical's 150th Birthday Celebration".

The Chorale will appear in concerts in the following areas:

Redwood Falls: Saturday, November 22, 7:30pm at the United Methodist Church

Spicer: Sunday, November 23, 4:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church.

For more information including tickets, contact one of the Chorale members. Local vocalists include David & Claudia Zylstra and Gar Jasper of Prinsburg, Paul Knapper of Renville.

West Central Christian Singles

Our bible study/prayer meetings will be on Thursdays with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, from now on as an ongoing thing.  We will meet at E. Free Church in Willmar at the library there in the church.  If you go in the main doors to the church, the Sanctuary is on your left, and the library is on the right just inside the door.  If you pass the bathroom or the Information Center, you have gone too far.  We will meet at 6:30, and stay as long as prayer needs to last, but hopefully not past 8 p.m.

West Central Christian Singles Thanksgiving Dinner

We will be having a Thanksgiving dinner for our group on Saturday, November 22, at 5 p.m.  We will be at E. Free Church again, this time meeting in the Chapel, using the North End Doors.  We will have signs on the doors directing you.  We as leaders will provide the turkey and dressing, ham, and a few vegetable dishes, of course along with plates and utensils.  I'm asking that you respond if coming so we know how much food to plan for.  I'm also asking that if coming you bring your favorite salad, vegetable dish or dessert.  If there is a certain beverage you prefer, please bring your own.  We will have coffee, hot water, and probably some kind of punch.  Nothing fancy, just good fellowship and lots of Thanksgiving to our wonderful God. 

Bunde CRC JAM

Bunde CRC JAM will be working for tips at the Willmar Pizza Ranch on Wednesday, November 19 starting at 5 pm. The tips they make and 10 percent of the sales for that evening will be donated to the Food Shelf. Please support the Bunde CRC JAM & the Food Shelf, while enjoying a great meal with family and friends!

55+ DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OFFERED

The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will be offering a 55+ Driver Improvement Course on the following days: 8 Hour Class-Monday and Tuesday, November 17 and 18. 5:00-9:00 Renville School Room S-2, Paul Knapper-Instructor.

The Driver Improvement course is open to the public; however, pre-registration is requested. A MN Highway Safety & Research Center certified instructor teaches this class.  Driver safety, confidence and comfort are enhanced by utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field, including the latest visual scanning and steering techniques, anti-lock braking (ABS) skills, airbag information, driver distraction, road rage and new vehicle technology.  The fee for the four hour refresher course is $18.00 and the eight hour course is $20.00. For more information or to register call TOLL FREE 1-(888)-234-1294) (be sure to include the 1 before the 888 when publishing this number).  Students can also register by calling the Renville Community Education Office at 320-329-8362.

Persons age 55 and older who complete the course qualify for a ten percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota law.  First time participants must complete two four hour sessions.  Repeat persons are required to take a four hour refresher course.

Barnabas Foundation

Should your children receive all or part of your estate when you're gone?

Don Long from Barnabas Foundation will be in the area November 18 - 20, 2008. Discuss your options with a Barnabas Foundation representative. It's confidential and free - thanks to the nearly 200 Christian member organizations of Barnabas Foundation. For over 30 years, Barnabas Foundation has helped Christians like you meet family financial needs while supporting the causes that are close to their heart. To arrange an appointment to meet with Don or for more information, please contact Barnabas Foundation at 1-888-448-3040 or  www.barnabasfoundation.com