Tuesday, September 21, 2010

This Week at Geneva

You may sign up for any of the following programs by contacting the person listed in the announcement or by phoning the church office at 734-459-0013. Access the updated Geneva activity calendar anytime by logging onto the Geneva web site at genevachurch.org and clicking on the “calendar” button.

Learning and Growing Together
On Wednesday, September 29, LifeStream, our mid-week Christian Education program, will resume. LifeStream begins with a meal at 5:45 followed by classes for all ages from 6:30 – 7:30. Suggested donation for meals is $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for children 10 and under with a family maximum of $15.00. You may sign up for adult classes in the Sunday bulletin, by calling the church office at 734-459-0013 or by email at cindysue32@sbcglobal.net.
Adult LifeStream classes
·         Suburban SpiritualityThe Challenges and Opportunities for Suburban Christians – facilitated by Bryan Smith. Starts September 29.
·         Disciple: an In-Depth Exploration of the Bible – facilitated by Dave McCreedy and Cindy Thomas. Manuals cost $35 each. Meets from 6:30 – 8:30.

 Our Visiting Pastor from Egypt will be here soon. Your help is needed!
The Rev. Ashraf Beshay will be visiting with us from Egypt September 29 – October 27, through the Synod of the Covenant’s Mission to the USA program.  A calendar is posted in the Gathering Space to allow everyone an opportunity to sign up to visit with him in their home for meals or other gatherings or to take him to visit area cultural or entertainment venues.  If you have any questions, please contact Ashraf’s calendar coordinator, Donna Gray at 734-844-279 or dgrayce@sbcglobal.net.

Mission Opportunities
  • Quilts for the Homeless – New Quilting Schedule! Starting Monday Sept 20th 6:30-8:30PM, we will be assembling and tying quilts! It's EASY. RELAXING, and great FELLOWSHIP! Please join us even if you only have a half hour to spare. Sewers are still needed at home or church. Sheets are needed for backing the quilts. See Charlene Jones (981-3053) or Cheryl Caldwell for questions.
  • ISI October English Class Tutoring -- ISI (International Students, Inc.) is sponsoring English Conversation Classes for international students and visiting scholars at the University of Michigan on the 4 Mondays in October (Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25). The class is held in the Boulevard Room of Pierpont Commons, corner of Murfin Ave. and Bonisteel Blvd., U of M North Campus, from 7:30 pm until 8:45 pm. You are invited to participate in any one or more of the sessions. No experience is necessary and materials will be provided.  car pool will leave from Geneva at 6:45 pm each week. For more information, contact Barb or Norm Fichtenberg.
  • An important request for the Iowa and Katrina mission trips. Volunteers are needed for mission trips.   Iowa in September and Katrina in October 2010. Call Mary Lloyd at 313-247-0792 with questions & visit hands-on-mission.org for applications.
  • Annual Chili Cook Off  - Sunday, October 10th – Plymouth
    Sign up as a volunteer, have a great time, receive a t-shirt and lunch.
    There are many different opportunities for 3 or 4 hr. time slots.
    Sign up in the gathering space soon, to reserve your favorite time & activity.
    Bring your friends ! Proceeds go to Apostles Build and other charities.
  • CROP Hunger Walk – The 2010 Plymouth/Canton CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, October 17with registration starting at 1:30 pm and the walk at 2:00 pm. The walk will begin at St. John's Episcopal Church, 574 S. Sheldon Rd. in Plymouth. We will be recruiting walkers and donors in the Gathering Space on Sept. 19, 26,Oct. 3 and 10. This is a family event. Strollers and wagons are welcome for young children.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Reaching out to our community

Habitat for Humanity Annual Chili Cook Off  - Sunday, October 10th -Plymouth
Sign up as a volunteer, have a great time, receive a t-shirt and lunch.
There are many different opportunities for 3 or 4 hr. time slots.
Sign up in the gathering space soon, to reserve your favorite time & activity
Bring your friends -
Proceeds go to Apostles Build and other charities.

Quilts for the Homeless – We will be quilting every Monday from 6:30 – 8:30pm starting September 13. Sheets and people willing to sew are needed. Call Charlene Jones at 734-981-3053 if you have any questions.

ISI October English Class Tutoring -- ISI (International Students, Inc.) is sponsoring English Conversation Classes for international students and visiting scholars at the University of Michigan on the 4 Mondays in October (Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25). The class is held in the Boulevard Room of Pierpont Commons, corner of Murfin Ave. and Bonisteel Blvd., U of M North Campus, from 7:30 pm until 8:45 pm. You are invited to participate in any one or more of the sessions. No experience is necessary and materials will be provided.  car pool will leave from Geneva at 6:45 pm each week. For more information, contact Barb or Norm Fichtenberg.

This is an important request for the Iowa and Katrina mission trips.
Volunteers needed for mission trips.   Iowa in September and Katrina in October 2010. Call Mary Lloyd at 313-247-0792 with questions & visit hands-on-mission.org for applications.

Friday, September 10, 2010

While the world has looked on in fascination, disgust, and horror at the proposed burning of Korans by a pastor and his church in Florida, the faith community here at Geneva has been quietly but busily planning more edifying events this weekend.  First, we will be gathering at Geneva this Saturday at 5:00 pm for a church picnic.  We'll have lots of food, fun, and fellowship, rain or shine.  We hope that Genevans and friends of all ages will join us for the picnic as we begin our Coming Home weekend.   
And then on Sunday morning, we begin our new worship and education format.  Worship services will be held at 8:30 and 11:00 am and an education hour will take place beginning at 9:45am.  We will have communion, liturgical dance, wonderful music, and a though-provoking message in worship.  For education, we again have classes planned for all ages.  Join us whether you've signed up or not!  
We will begin this Sunday taking a look at the invitation we have as people of faith to be transformed into Christ-likeness.  We'll be thinking about what our role is in this process and what is God's role. 
To prepare for worship, I encourage you to read Hebrews 5:11-6:12.  Take some time to ponder the passage, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you through them.  As you do so, I encourage you to think about what hinders Christians from moving into faith maturity.  What are some of the stumbling blocks we encounter in the transformative process?  What does the writer of Hebrews encourage us to do?  What specifically might God be asking you to do in regards to your faith at this point in your life?
My hope is that we can kick-off a new year of church life with a commitment to accept all God has in mind for us. As we head into the fall season, we know God is ready and waiting to help us grow in faith, hope, and love.