New Sunday Morning Adult Classes Beginning February 6

·   Adult Christianity and How to Get There led by Bryan Smith. Much personal and pastoral confusion results when we do not realize that the spiritual tasks of the first half of life are radically different from those in the second half. Both are essential, but much of institutional religion is concerned only with the tasks of the first half of life. Spiritual maturity depends on being able to move on to the challenges of the second half, which are much closer to the concerns of Jesus. No matter which half of life you are in, this class will help guide you toward the next step.

·   The Holy Use of Money led by Steve Braun. As Christians, how do we practically handle money in a world where we “cannot serve God and riches?” This series of 5 classes will address that fundamental question and provide practical advice for improving your financial situation. You will be challenged and taught how to manage your household resources more effectively – understanding the spiritual nature of money, being a better steward of God’s possessions, setting goals and priorities, budgeting successfully, taming debt, saving and investing – all from a biblical perspective.

·   Parenting in the Pews led by Elise Russell and Meg Wilson. Come and be part of a discussion about helping your children fully engage in worship. The discussion will be based on Parenting in the Pews by Robbie Castleman. You are invited to join every week or whenever your schedule allows. Books will be available to purchase or borrow.

·   The Letters of Paul led by Maribeth Petteys. You are welcome to join this ongoing Sunday morning class as they continue to explore the New Testament letters of the apostle Paul.

Congregational Meeting

There will be a congregational lunch and meeting on Sunday, January 30, 2011 for the purpose of receiving the 2011 budget and electing new Elders and Deacons. Lunch will be served at approximately 12:30 and the meeting will begin at 1:00. Suggested donation to cover the cost of lunch is $4 for adults, $2 for children 10 and under. You may pick up a report today on the table in the Gathering Space.

Interfaith Community Outreach

Interfaith Community Outreach is a cooperative group of people from the various religious traditions in the Canton area that work together on an annual mission project. Last year they blessed the community with a clothing drive. This year’s project is a food drive and Geneva will serve as a collection center. There are two ways you can help.

·         Donate food – canned goods, non-perishables, no glass please. There is a collection box in the Gathering Space for your donations.

·         Donate money – make checks payable to Canton Community Foundation. You will find self-addressed envelopes for your donation on the front of the collection box.

Donations will be distributed to the Canton Open Door food pantry, Harvest Loves in Plymouth, Salvation Army in Plymouth, John Bolde Food Pantry in Wayne. We’ll be collecting food through February 14^th. If you would like to know more about the Interfaith Community Outreach and how you can get involved, please contact Dawn Christenson at 734-397-1484 or Donna Gray at 734-844-1279.

Worship Preview Sunday 1/09/11

A new Congress has just convened, and while we may still hope, it doesn't look like the current Congress will will be any more united or any less contentious than the previous one. On both sides of the aisle, shrill voices proclaim that they and they alone speak for "the American People."  The message seems to be, "If you think like me and vote like me, you're a true American. If you don't, you're something else." While this kind of rhetoric seems to have escalated in recent years, it isn't new. In fact, its as old as humankind itself. From the very beginning we human beings have been adept at creating barriers regarding who is to be accepted and who is to be rejected. The "us and them" mentality is seen in every aspect of human life: political, social, national, familial and religious. In fact, that mindset provided the fiercest opposition Jesus ever faced, and overcoming it was the first challenge that faced the early church. As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please read Luke 5:27-31 and Acts 10:34-48 and ponder these questions: Why were the Pharisees so offended by Jesus attending Levi's party? Why do you think God needed to intervene so dramatically in the Acts story? How have you experienced being an "outsider"? How have you experienced being an "insider"? Is there a person or group of people that you feel uncomfortable considering as sisters and brothers in Christ? Do you hear Paul's words, "You are all one in Christ Jesus" as comforting or challenging? Why?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

On Monday, January 17, 2011, Canton Township will be holding its annual Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Village Theater. Come celebrate and be inspired by the life and vision of Dr. King. This year’s keynote speaker will be our own pastor, Bryan Smith. Music and dance will be provided by:

·         Plymouth Canton Educational Park Madrigal Singers
and Chamber Choir

·         Plymouth Canton Educational Park Hip Hop Dance Club

·         Forever After Productions and the cast of Hairspray

Doors open at 5:30 pm for light refreshments; the program begins at 6:00 pm. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Reaching out: Local Habitat office provide a hand up

Check out this link:
Local Habitat office provides a hand up

Worship Preview, Sunday January 2, 2011

While a new year arrives as a matter of course, a new life arrives as a matter of grace.  Changing a calendar is one thing; having a changed life is something else all together.  As 2011 makes its entry, the gospel invites us not just to mark the passage of time, but to embrace this moment as the time to say Yes to God in a deeply, transformative way. So as we gather for worship in the first Sunday of this new year, let's do so determined to live in the faith, hope, joy, and love that God extends to us. To prepare for worship, I invite you to read Luke 2:8-20 and to think about these questions: --what other choices could the shepherds have made besides going to Bethlehem? --why do you think they took the journey to see the Christ child? --if you think of the life of faith as a journey, how would you describe your journey? --what have been some of the memorable points along the way? --where do you sense the journey might be heading in this new year? Blessings to one and all as the journey continues!