January 2014 Maple Breeze Newsletter

Maple Grove Mennonite Church
PO Box 480, 549 Swan Road
Atglen, PA. 19310
Phone 610-593-6658 Fax: 610-593-3506
Email:[email protected]
Website:www.maplegrove-atglen.org
Volume 2 Issue 7 January 2014
“The mission of Maple Grove is to expect great things
from God as we deepen our relationship with Christ The monthly newsletter of Maple Grove Mennonite Church
and to show God’s love to others.”
MAPLE
GROVE BREEZE
New Year's Prayer
Lord, this year I want to change,
and I've said that in the past.
but now my prayer is different
'cause I understand at last.
I wanted my own way before,
I ignored your loving plans.
But now I'm putting everything
into your nail-scarred hands.
I promise to obey you
out of gratitude and love.
I won't be giving orders
to my Father up above.
I finally realize the truth
and so I've changed my prayer.
The safest place for me to be
is in your gentle care.
Please be my shepherd, Jesus,
that's all I ask of you.
In good times and in bad this year,
Take my hand and lead me through.
Amen.
--Jack Zavada
DECEMBER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
CHURCH EVENTS
Jan. 5. - Pastor Steve Crane “Dressing For Eternity” Gal. 3:26-29
Remembrance Service/ Baptism Melissa N
Worship Leaders: Arlin & Lois K
Jan. 12 - Pastor Seth Fisher “Wondering What We Were Made
For? (Exploring Our Desire for Community)” John 1:1-3
Worship Leaders: Rhonda K & Chelsey K
Dedication of DR Mission Teams
Jan. 19 - Pastor Mike Lusby “The Journey to Healing, Part 1
‘Taking Personal Inventory’” Matt. 22:37-39
Worship Leaders: Jesse K, Dillon K & WC
Dedication of Bible Quizzing Team and Coaches
Jan. 26 - Pastor Mike Lusby “Journey to Healing, Part 2
”A Physical Touch” Matt. 9:18-16; Isa. 53:5
Baby Dedication of Aria B (Seth & Glenda)
Worship Leaders: Ken U/ Morgan U
SMALL GROUPS MEETING
On January 6th at 7:00pm (in Room 107) Pastor Seth will be having a
small group meeting for vision casting and strategizing. Those
attending can fall into two categories: (1)Those interested in being a
small group leader, or (2) Those curious and wanting to see what they
can do to advance small groups at Maple Grove. Please note that by
attending you are not committing to being a small group leader. Coffee
and light refreshments will be served.
CHURCH COMMISSION NEWS
Coordinating Body Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 7pm
Christian Education Commission: Matt K, Lay Minister
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 @ 7:00pm
Adult Sunday School classes will begin “Red Letter Christians” an
inductive Bible study for January and February.
Evangelism & Service Commission: Morgan U, Lay Minister
Family Life Commission: Eric & Sue N, Lay Ministers
Friday, February 14: Sweetheart Social at Maple Grove
March 14-16: Men’s Retreat at Ponderosa Lodge
Finance, Personnel and Property Commission: Doug L, Lay
Minister
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 @7pm.
Women's Ministries Commission: Melba K, Lay Minister
Next Meeting: Monday, January 6 @12:15pm.
January 10-11: Women’s Retreat at Eden Resort, Lancaster, PA
Worship & Music Commission: Arlin & Lois K, Lay Ministers
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 9 @5:45pm
Youth Ministry Commission: Linda Y, Lay Minister
Next Meeting: Monday, January 27 @7:00pm
Wednesday, Feb. 5: Youth Mentor/Mentee Social at church
SR HIGH YOUTH
Jan. 1 - New Year’s Eve Lock-in at church 8:00 pm - 6:00 am
Jan. 8 - Dorothy K, speaker
Jan. 15 - Family Night Quiz Match
Jan. 22 - Gym Night at Linville Hill
Jan. 29 - Pastor Steve Crane, speaker
SKI WEEKEND February 14-16, 2014
FAMILY NIGHT BIBLE QUIZ MATCH is Wednesday, January 15
with a meal served 5:15-6:15pm; the quizzing will begin at 6:30pm.
See Rhonda S to sign up individually or as a team and come to the
Family Night Quiz Match! All ages are invited to participate. Study
material is about Moses.
6th grade and younger: Exodus 2:1 - 3:6 (Moses' birth, to the burning
bush)
7th grade through adults: Exodus 1:1 - 3:6 (Israelites in Egypt, to the
burning bush)
The text of the questions & answers will be according to the English
Standard Version (ESV)*, only! *Note this is a change from previous
years. Look online at www.BibleGateway.com or see Rhonda for a
printout of the text.
POST HIGH
The Post High Group meets for fun, fellowship and spiritual growth
on Tuesday evenings at 7pm. Check Facebook or contact Brandon
& Rhonda U for information and meeting locations. A new study
“Bait of Satan” by John Bevere will begin Jan. 7. Seven of the Post
High group are planning to go on the Dominican Republic Mission
Trip from Jan. 25- Feb. 1.
Maple Grove Adopt A Night
at The Parkesburg Point
We will resume our monthly meal schedule on February 5 with the
Young Married Class in charge of a meal. However, there are some
open Mondays in January if anyone would like to organize a meal.
Please contact Morgan or call the Point directly for the dates.
Evangelism & Service Commission has asked that Maple Grove
volunteers complete the required background security
checks and the necessary volunteer forms so we are ready to begin
serving meals. You may email Morgan U at
[email protected] or the church office at [email protected] for a form to download or to request a printed form.
Please return your completed forms to Morgan.
PRAYER LIST
WILL YOU PRAY FOR ?
Our Church Family…
The Leadership Team...
Lead Pastor Steve Crane
Associate Pastor Seth Fisher
Associate Pastor Mike Lusby
Elders:
Tim Fritz, Lead Elder
Kyle King
Matt Ressler, Leadership Secretary
Lay Ministers of our Commissions
Our Missionaries…
Laura D in Dominican Republic
Nicole E in Dominican Republic
Dale & Kathy M working with YWAM in VA and Chile
Allen U in Albania
Randy & Melanie U in Ecuador
Ryan & Bethany U in Cambodia
Scott in North Africa
Ministries Supported by Maple Grove…
Maple Grove Preschool
Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties
Parkesburg Point
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
1/1 MAST & ANNA S
1/6 JOHN & SARA S
1/18 RICH & SUE R
SMILE! IT DOES A BODY GOOD!
Sven's Farm
Government surveyors came to Sven’s farm in the fall and asked if they
could do some surveying. Sven agreed, and Lena even served them a
nice meal at noon time. The next spring, the two surveyors stopped by
and told Sven, "Because you were so kind to us, we wanted to give you
this bad news in person instead of by letter." Sven replied, "What's the
bad news?" The surveyors stated, "Well, after our work here, we
discovered your farm is not in Minnesota but is actually in Wisconsin!"
Sven looked at Lena and said, "That's the best news I have heard in a
long time. I just told Lena this morning that I don't think I can take another
winter in Minnesota."
The Winter Boots
Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her young pupils
put on his boots? He asked for help and she could see why. Even with
her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn't want to go on. By
the time they got the second boot on, she had worked up a sweat. She
almost cried when the little boy said, 'Teacher, they're on the wrong feet.'
She looked, and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the
boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as,
together, they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the correct
feet. He then announced, 'These aren't my boots.' She bit her tongue,
rather than get right in his face and demand, 'Why didn't you say so? ' like
she wanted to. Once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting
boots off his little feet. No sooner had they gotten the boots off when he
said, 'They're my brother's boots. My Mum made me wear 'em.' Now she
didn't know if she should laugh or cry. But she mustered up what grace
and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again. Helping
him into his coat, she asked, 'Now, where are your mittens?' He said, 'I
stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots.'
Travel Smarts
A government warning was recently issued that anyone traveling in icy
conditions should carry along these ten things:
1. Shovel
2. Extra clothing including scarf, hat & gloves, blankets or sleeping bag
3. 24 hours supply of food and drink
4. De-icer & 5 pounds of rock salt
5. 5 gallon gasoline can
6. Torch or lantern with spare batteries
7. Road flares and reflective triangles
8. Tow rope
9. First aid kit
10. Jumper cables
I felt like a complete idiot on the bus this morning.
The New Year’s Diet Plan
MAPLE GROVE STAFF
Lead Pastor, Steve Crane, [email protected]
Pastor Seth Fisher, [email protected]
Pastor Mike Lusby, [email protected]
Sue N, Treasurer, [email protected]
Marilyn U, Secretary, [email protected]
PLEASE SUBMIT ALL INFORMATION FOR THE
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER BY WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22.
A man was terribly overweight, so his doctor put him on a diet. "I want you
to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day. Then eat regularly again for
two days, then skip a day. Repeat this procedure for two weeks. The next
time I see you, you should have lost at least five pounds." When the man
returned, he shocked the doctor by having lost nearly 30 pounds! "Wow,
that's amazing!" the doctor said. "Did you follow my instructions?" The
man nodded. "I'll tell you though, I thought I was going to drop dead on
the third day." "From the hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor. "No, from
the skipping."
ARTIST’S GALLERY
Beginning next month, you are welcome to submit original art
in any form to be published in the Maple Grove Breeze.
It can be a poem, short story, drawing, etc...Names should
be included and the work should be submitted by the
newsletter deadline which is Wednesday, January 22, 2014.
Following is a poem written by Chloe K, age 13, for her class
at school.
COMMUNITY CLIPS
LANCASTER MENNONITE HISTORICAL
SOCIETY EVENTS

The Battle In Me
The wind whistled through my hair
Where was I going, where would I end up

I kept walking I didn’t really care
This is my life I’ll fill my cup
I will cherish the day
Like it was a wonderful dream
The moment I wake up I’ll say
What will I do now, go be mean?
I keep walking finding two paths
What if one leads to darkness?
If I take it will my life crash?
Will all that happiness pass?
Then I think what the other is
Is it daylight full of joy?
And if both are as each other

Pies in the Mennonite tradition-Stop by Friday,
January 10 between 6 and 8 p.m. to see pies being
made and enjoy a slice or two with a cup of Lonely
Monk coffee. To attend, a ticket can be purchased
for $10 by calling the Society at (717) 393-9745. The
event will be held at the Lancaster Mennonite
Historical Society, 2215 Millstream Rd, Lancaster,
Pa.
Amish Educational Series-This educational series
explores a variety of topics about the Amish on three
Wednesdays in January. There will be presentations
on "Growing up Amish" (Jan. 8), "Amish Women
Entrepreneurs" (Jan. 15), and the "Joy of Being
Amish" (Jan. 22). The series is done in partnership
with Garden Spot Village. Each presentation starts
at 7 p.m. in the Garden Spot Village Chapel, 433
South Kinzer Ave., New Holland, Pa.
Annual Music Night-Come to Neffsville Mennonite
Church on Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m., for a
concert featuring a diverse collection of Anabaptist
voices, singing music ranging from hymns to gospel,
a capella, bluegrass, norteño and more. Tickets at
$20 can be purchased at lmhs.org or by calling
(717) 393-9745.
Will it just be a ploy?
There’s a war inside of me
It hurts and aches but what’s the cure
I wish I could find the key
So I can unlock the door
I start up the path of light
I walk and run and sprint
But by the time its night
How much changed a pint?
Now I can see it nice and clear
I can feel the war stopping
The glory days are near
I run with my hair bopping
I’m here I push open the golden gates
I run on the paths of gold
A sign clearly states
“This is your home it will never get old.”
By: Chloe K
Postlude
After the carols have faded,
And the gifts have been tucked away,
And the candles are stubs of formless wax,
And the snow has mouldered to gray –
After the holly withers,
And the berries are rusted brown,
And the carpets sparkle with tinseled fir,
Where needles came tumbling down –
After the dream has ended,
And the embers are burning low,
May the Christ, the Heart of Christmas,
Still brighten the afterglow.
-Alice E. Kenelly